2 Chronicles 25:11 “And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.”
Daniel 10:19“And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”
1. THE LORD PROVIDES STRENGTH WHEN WE ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND UP FOR HIM.
Colossians 1:11“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”
2 Timothy 4:17“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”
2. WHEN WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR HUMAN WEAKNESS AND TURN TO GOD, WE ARE MADE STRONG BY OUR FAITH IN HIM.
Hebrews 11:34“Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” 2 Corinthians 12:10“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
3. WE CAN LOSE OUR STRENGTH FROM GOD WHEN WE DECIDE TO DO THINGS OUR OWN WAY, AND NOT HIS.
Judges 16:19-21“And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.”
4. GOD PROVIDES THE RESOURCES SO WE CAN BE STRONG.
COMPLETE FAITH IN THE PERSON OF OUR LORD.
Hebrews 6:18“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”
NOURISHMENT FROM THE WORD OF GOD.
Hebrews 5:12“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” Hebrews 5:14“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
POWER FROM HIS SPIRIT.
Ephesians 3:16“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;”
5. THERE ARE GOOD RESULTS WHEN WE DEPEND ON GOD AND NOT OURSELVES.
Philippians 4:13“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Ephesians 6:10“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”
1. FILLED WITH THE RIGHT THINGS…IF WE RECEIVE THEM BY FAITH.
A. IS MY MOUTH FILLED WITH THE RIGHT THINGS ?
Profanity has become an acceptable language for the average person today. But Christians are not average, and profanity does not belong anywhere in their speech. Christians have better things to talk about than damning people and talking about excrement and immoral sex.
Psalms 71:8Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honour all the day.
Psalms 104:28That Thou givest them they gather: Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good.
–SPEAKING IN A GODLY WAY OFTEN BRINGS THE SCORN OF THOSE WHO ARE UNGODLY.
Psalms 123:4Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
B. IS MY ENTIRE BEING FILLED WITH THE LORD ?
***HOW DID THEY KNOW THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT ?
Acts 13:52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
–IT IS A COMMAND FROM GOD FOR US, TOO.
Ephesians 5:18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
C. ARE WE FILLED WITH COMFORT OVER DEATH ?
NOT JUST LOSS OF LOVED ONES, BUT LOSS OF THINGS PRECIOUS TO US. OUR COUNTRY HAS DIED. MANY ARE LAMENTING EVERY DAY WHEN THEY SEE THE STENCH OF DEATH OVER WASHINGTON DC. MANY CHRISTIANS FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. DO WE FEEL THE COMFORT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT REMINDING US THAT JESUS IS COMING SOON AND WE WILL HAVE REWARDS FROM HIM ?
2 Corinthians 7:4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
D. ARE WE FILLED ENOUGH TO BE DOING GOOD THINGS THAT GET NOTICED.
WE ARE NOT TO BE NOTICED, BUT CHRIST IN US IS. (ACTIONS—ALL CALCULATED TO DO GOOD FOR HIM).
Romans 15:14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
2. WE NEED TO GET RID OF THE THINGS WHICH FILLED US BEFORE.
WE NEED TO HATE THE THINGS THAT WERE IN OUR LIVES PREVIOUSLY. NOT JUST JOKE ABOUT THEM OR SIMPLY RECOGNIZE THEIR PRESENCE.
A. WITH THE DEVICES OF THE SINFUL HEART.
Proverbs 1:30-31They would none of my counsel, they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
B. WE NEED TO BE AWARE THAT WE CAN FALL BACK INTO THE WRONG WAYS IF WE DO NOT TREASURE AND MAINTAIN OUR WALK WITH THE LORD.
Proverbs 14:14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
3. ARE THERE CONSEQUENCES TO BEING ONLY PARTLY FULL ?
*For one thing, you won’t go as far on half a tank as you can with a full tank. If you are working like a bulldozer, you can only get half the work done that God wants before you run out of steam.
A. CONSEQUENCES TO BEING FILLED WITH THE WRONG THINGS.
Haggai 1:6Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
B. CONSEQUENCES TO BEING FILLED WITH BAD THINGS LEADS TO MORE BAD ACTIONS.
Luke 6:11And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
This is a multi-part series. On this page you will find links to all audio files in the series as well as the outlines for the entire series. Scroll down for complete outlines.
Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.
THE HOLY SPIRIT TELLS US OF THINGS TO COME.
John 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
1. A NEW GENERATION WHERE A FEW ARE FAITHFUL.
THE LAST DAYS YOUTH. HOPE FOR A FEW. PARENTS WHO ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT PAYING BILLS THAN THEY ARE RAISING CHILDREN TO MAKE WISE DECISIONS.
2 Timothy 3:1-2This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
WHERE DOES THIS COME FROM ? IT COMES FROM PARENTS WHO DIDN’T TEACH THEIR KIDS. THEY FED THEM, TOOK THEM TO DOCTORS, KEPT THEM ALIVE, BUT DIDN’T INSIST THAT THE CHILDREN LEARN SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES.
GENERATIONS TO COME ARE LOST WHEN PARENTS DO NOT PASS DOWN GOD’S LAWS TO THEIR CHILDREN. THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO AMERICAN CHRISTIANS. PARENTS ARE TOO BUSY. TOO BUSY ON THEIR CELL PHONES AND COMPUTERS TO TAKE TIME TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN.
Psalm 78:5-8For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE OF A PARENT IS TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN TO KNOW GOD AND DETERMINE WHAT GOD’S WILL FOR THEIR LIVES.
BUT, PARENTS CAN RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN A BIBLICAL WAY THAT INVOKES THE PROMISES OF GOD. THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL. DISCIPLINE. EFFECTIVE, LOVING, CONSISTENT, AND JUST.
EDUCATION. AT HOME. SHOW THEM THE DANGERS OF THE REAL WORLD. REVEAL THEIR TRUE ENEMIES. BASE THEIR LEARNING UPON THE WISDOM OF GOD. FRIENDS. NOT OF THIS WORLD.
FUTURE. SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD.
2. WHO WILL RULE IN THE WORLD TO COME ?
OBVIOUSLY, JESUS WILL BE THE HIGHEST RULER OVER ALL.
Ephesians 1:21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
NOT THE ANGELS.
Hebrews 2:5For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
–WE SHALL JUDGE THE ANGELS.
1 Corinthians 6:3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
WE SHALL RULE ON EARTH.
Revelation 5:10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
HOW CAN WE PREPARE ? IMPORTANT TASKS AHEAD. WE NEED GOOD JUDGMENT AND DISCERNMENT. NEED TO GET OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT, AND SEE GOOD AND EVIL FOR WHAT EACH ONE REALLY IS.
–ASK FOR IT.
James 1:5-6If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
–LEARN WHAT GOD SAYS THROUGH HIS WORD AND GODLY TEACHING.
Hebrews 5:14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
GOD WILL RAISE UP GODLY PRIESTS IN THE MILLENIUM THAT WILL TEACH THE JEWISH PEOPLE.
Ezekiel 44:23And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
3. THERE ARE VICTORIES UP AHEAD.
FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS CAN WIN OVER THE WORLD. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD DOES. WE CAN BE ON FIRE FOR GOD !
Joshua 24:15And 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.
–WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND POWER TO DO IT.
Luke 10:19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
1 John 4:4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Romans 8:37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
–THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO BE LUKEWARM. THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO PLAY LIKE YOU LOVE THE LORD WHEN YOU LOVE OTHER THINGS MORE. GOD’S POWER HAS NOT CHANGED.
–SOME PEOPLE WONDER HOW CHRISTIANS WHO WERE ONCE EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TO THE LORD COULD BECOME LUKEWARM. THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. IF YOU TAKE A HOT CUP OF COFFEE AND LEAVE IT IN THE AIR, JUST LETTING IT SIT THERE, IT WON’T TAKE LONG BEFORE IT BECOMES LUKEWARM. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE JUST SITTING THERE, MAKING ONE EXCUSE AFTER ANOTHER AS TO WHY THEY CAN’T BE DOING SOMETHING FOR THE LORD.
–HOW DOES A PERSON WHO IS LUKEWARM GET ON FIRE ? GET CLOSER TO THE FIRE. LOOK TO JESUS. SEE WHAT HE SEES, AND PREPARE YOURSELF TO BE IMMERSED IN A BAPTISM OF FIRE THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR WAYS.
Revelation 1:14His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire;
Revelation 2:18And 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;
Revelation 19:12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.
–THERE IS A NEW NATURE THAT MAKES US BE CHRIST-LIKE.
2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
***YOU CAN TAKE A CAT AND PUT HIM IN THE MIDST OF A HERD OF PIGS, AND IT WON’T MAKE HIM A PIG. HE I STILL A CAT. YOU CAN TAKE THAT SAME CAT AND PUT HIM IN A CAGE WITH MANY CANARIES, AND HE WILL STILL BE A CAT. SURROUNDINGS, AND WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND HIM DOES NOT MAKE THE TRULY BORN AGAIN CHRIST LIKE WHAT IS AROUND THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN BORN-AGAIN, AND ARE NEW CREATURES IN CHRIST !
–IF YOU LOVE YOUR FAMILY, YOU WILL PUT GOD FIRST, BECAUSE THEN YOU HAVE THE POWER TO LOVE YOUR FAMILY RIGHT AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR THEIR GUIDANCE.
THE VICTORIES BELONG TO A FEW. YOU CAN BE ONE OF THEM !
THERE ARE ALOT FEWER TRUE BELIEVERS THAN THERE WERE YEARS AGO. THAT GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY FILL THEIR SHOES BUT TO RUN TO GREATER HEIGHTS. MANY OF GOD’S PEOPLE WILL DIE, AS A BLESSING TO THEM.
Isaiah 57:1The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
–TRIBULATIONS.
John 16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
–FAITHFULNESS TO GOD GIVES US VICTORY OVER TRIBULATIONS. THE WORLD CANNOT TAKE OUR JOY OF FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, OR OUR POWER.
Romans 5:3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 8:35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 12:12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 2 Corinthians 1:4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 7:4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
YOU CAN’T BUILD A SOLID HOUSE WITHOUT A GOOD FOUNDATION. ***Treehouses. Nice, big, modern. But, as the tree grows, the house tears apart.
SOME TRUE BELIEVERS WILL DEAL WITH SERIOUS PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY LEAVE THIS EARTH. AND THEY NEED A STRENGTH THAT ONLY COMES FROM GOD. IF IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM, WE COLLAPSE, AND WHINE LIKE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD WHO HAVE NO POWER, WE MISREPRESENT THE LORD. WE ALSO WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF A BAD TESTIMONY BEFORE CHRIST.
1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
THERE IS THE ANGER OF GOD WAITING FOR SOME.
Acts 24:25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
THE CHURCH NOW WAS ONCE THE CHURCH OF THE FUTURE. GOD PROMISED HIS CHILDREN A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS SPIRIT. ***(WE CAN COUNT ON THE PROPHECIES OF GOD TO BE TRUE).
HE WOULD DWELL INSIDE THEM.
John 14:17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
HE WOULD DWELL WITH THEM FOREVER.
Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
A DAY OF JUDGMENT.
FOR THE CHRISTIAN. A DAY OF SHAME AND SORROW.
2 Corinthians 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
4. A SALVATION TO COME.
NEW LIFE BEGINNING NOW. “HATH” ETERNAL LIFE.
John 3:36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 6:47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
FORGIVENESS AND GOD’S LOVE.
Numbers 14:18The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
A PLACE WITH THE LORD.
1 Thessalonians 4:17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
THEY ATTEMPT TO BREAK YOU DOWN, INTIMIDATE YOU, MAKE YOU FEEL AS IF YOU DON’T HAVE A CHANCE. JUST LIKE GOLIATH TRIED TO DO.
Joshua 15:8And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
WHO ARE SOME OF THESE GIANTS ?
THE WORLD’S VIEW OF THE NEWS
DEPRESSION. CAN BE HORMONAL, HABIT, UNWILLINGNESS TO TURN THINGS OVER TO GOD AND LEAVE THEM THERE IN HIS HANDS (LACK OF FAITH).
DEFEATS OF THE PAST. THEY COME AND HAUNT YOU, SAYING YOU CAN’T WIN.
BLINDNESS. CAN’T SEE ANY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
ANGER AND HATRED. THINGS NOT COMMITTED TO GOD WITH A WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE.
Romans 8:37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
God didn’t leave us here for a lifetime of defeat ! That would be an embarrassment upon His Name, and would be miserable for us ! He gave us power over ALL the power of the enemy, and we need to use what He gave to us !
2. THERE IS A VALLEY FOR JUDGMENT.
GET OUT OF IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN. IT USUALLY HAS SEVERAL CITIES IN IT. GOD SAYS GET OUT OR BE JUDGED WITH THEM. (Modern Law: “Accessory to a crime” “To be convicted as an accessory to a crime, the person must possess an awareness of the crime, either before or after its commission.” ).
A. IT HAS A HISTORY OF JUDGMENT TAKING PLACE.
YET SOME PEOPLE WANT TO DWELL THERE. ABRAHAM KNEW ABOUT IT AND SO HE PRAYED FOR LOT.
2 Samuel 8:13And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
DON’T STAY IN A PLACE WHERE GOD SAYS
Ephesians 5:11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
B. THE SAME VALLEY WILL SPELL THE DEATH OF NATIONS IN THE FUTURE.
Ezekiel 39:11And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog.
3. THE VALLEY OF UNNECESSARY BATTLES.
GOING INTO WAR AGAINST SOMETHING OR SOMEONE THAT GOD SAID NOT TO DO. JOSIAH WAS ONE OF THE MOST GODLY KINGS, YET HE MADE THE MISTAKE OF TAKING ON BATTLES THAT HE WAS NOT CALLED TO FIGHT.
2 Chronicles 35:22 20-23After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
WE HAVE ENOUGH BATTLES TO WAGE THAT GOD GAVE TO US AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT, SO WE SHOULD NOT GO OUT PICKING BATTLES THAT GOD DIDN’T CALL US TO. IT PLACES TOO MUCH ON YOU, AND YOU CAN GET HURT. *Josiah was seeing people turned back to God. He needed to lead a revival among the people, not go and fight physical armies.
4. THERE IS A VALLEY THAT HAS A SCARY SHADOW.
***Heard even younger people speaking about the possibility of death recently. The warning from China to keep away from their newly created islands, the possibility of some unidentified space object crashing down to earth, the diseases being raised out of ancient archeological dig sites, all bring people of all ages to wonder if they will live tomorrow. BUT, GOD WANTS YOU TO KEEP ON WALKING !
Psalms 23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
DEATH FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER IS MERELY THAT–A SHADOW. THERE IS NO DEATH FOR US. WE SIMPLY GO FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.
John 11:24-26Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
5. THE FINAL VALLEY FOR MEN WHO WANT TO RULE THEMSELVES. PEOPLE WHO DON’T WANT JESUS TO BE LORD OVER THEM.
Joel 3:12Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Joel 3:14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
JESUS COMMANDED THE DEVIL TO RUN. YET CHRISTIANS TODAY SEEM TO BE RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL.
Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
1. WHEN PEOPLE OPPOSE YOUR FAITH.
Instead of fleeing to another country, they simply went to believers to ask the Lord what to do.
Acts 4:19-23But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
2. WHEN DEMONS ARE PRESENT.
Mark 9:22And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
DISCIPLES DIDN’T RUN. THEY SOUGHT A SOLUTION FROM JESUS.
3. WHEN YOU DISAGREE WITH SOMEONE.
There are times when it is foolish to argue over a matter of your faith. Most of the time, the person who opposes you has their minds set, and all the facts in the world will not dislodge them from thinking like they do. BUT, there are times when you come across a person who you know to be honest and willing to look at beliefs that can be proven from the Bible. THEN, you should not walk away or avoid taking an opposite stand.
A. WHEN THE PERSON IS HONEST AND WANTS TO DETERMINE WHAT IS TRUTH.
Galatians 2:11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
B. WHEN A PERSON NEEDS TO RECEIVE TRUTH, BECAUSE GOD SAYS TO TELL THEM, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE NOT OPEN TO IT.
Daniel 5:22-26And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
4. SOME CLAIM THAT THEY WANT THE TRUTH, BUT THEY ONLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT PLEASES THEM IN THE FLESH.
A. THEY KNOW YOU WILL NOT AGREE, SO THEY GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ONLY SO THEY CAN CONDEMN YOU FOR THE TRUTH.
2 Chronicles 18:12-17And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak. And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand. And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD? Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
5. WHEN YOU CAN’T GET WHAT YOU WANT AT THE FOOT OF JESUS.
A. WHEN YOU DON’T GET WHAT IS PROMISED IN THE TIME YOU WANTED IT.
Abraham–for most of his life–did not receive what he had been praying for–a son.
Genesis 15:2And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
B. WHEN OTHERS GET A DIRECT ANSWER, BUT YOU FEEL SLIGHTED BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T.
Luke 24:19-22And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him. But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
WE SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING FROM CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT FACING THEM WITH THE POWER OF THE LORD. THAT WILL GIVE GLORY TO GOD. NOT RUNNING !
TOO MANY GIVE UP AND DON’T REALIZE THAT BEING SURROUNDED IN THIS EARTH WITH ENEMIES, WE HAVE TO FIGHT JUST TO STAY ON AN EVEN PLAIN.
IN THIS LIFE, THE SPIRITUAL BATTLES ARE DAILY, NOT JUST A FEW TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. GOD SHOWS US THE RIGHT PATH–BE ANGRY WITH SIN EVERY DAY !
Psalms 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
DAVID UNDERSTOOD THAT EVERY DAY WAS A BATTLE.
Psalms 56:5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
THIS IS NOT AS TERRIBLE AS SOME THINK. ON MANY DAYS, IT IS HUMOROUS THAT THE ENEMY IS SO WEAK !
Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
THEY WERE IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE. BUT WINNING IS FUN ! IT FILLS YOU WITH JOY !
TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO LEARN WHERE THE BATTLE IS, AND HOW TO WIN IT !
1. BATTLING AND WINNING FOR GOD SHOULD BE A LIFELONG PROJECT.
A. DANIEL’S FIGHT TO STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT BEGAN AS A CHILD.
Daniel 1:12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Daniel 1:16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. (“pulse” = literally “vegetables”)
B. THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S BUT HE OFTEN WANTS TO WIN IT THROUGH YOU.
YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. SOMETIMES MORE THAN JUST PRAY AND BELIEVE.
1 Samuel 17:47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
WORSHIP AND PRAISE CAN BE WEAPONS AGAINST OUR ENEMY.
2 Chronicles 20:15And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
Obviously, they were involved as soldiers. But, God would work through them.
C. PAUL FOUGHT EVER SINCE HE BECAME A CHRISTIAN.
2 Timothy 4:7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
WHAT DID PAUL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ?
2 Corinthians 11:23-28Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
HIS BATTLE WAS NOT A ONE-TIME EVENT. HE HAD TO FIGHT EVERY DAY.
2. IT IS WORTH IT WHEN WE REALIZE THE ALTERNATIVE THAT IS AROUND US.
A. THE PEOPLE OF GOD ALWAYS HAD TO FIGHT SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY THE ENEMY.
NOT ONLY WERE THERE SOLDIERS OR ARMIES, BUT ALSO PROPHETS WHO BECAME PART OF A DIFFERENT FIGHT, A SPIRITUAL ONE.
Hebrews 11:32-35And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Ephesians 6:11-13Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
B. THE ALTERNATIVE IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD.
HE TOLD US TO FIGHT FOR WHAT HE HAS GIVEN US. TIMOTHY WAS COMMANDED TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. This is not to be disagreeable, or picking fights with people over lesser issues.
1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
3. WE SHOULD SEE OUR LITTLE DAILY BATTLES AS PRIVILEGES TO SERVE GOD AND PROTECT THOSE WE LOVE.
A. THE “GOOD FIGHT” OF FAITH INVOLVES FIGHTING FOR THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE GOD-GIVEN.
YOUR HUSBAND, YOUR WIFE. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE. THE VOWS YOU MAKE TO GOD–THOSE ARE ALL UNDER ATTACK.
B. THE GOOD FIGHT CAN BE AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU SURRENDER TO GOD’S POWER AND DON’T RELY UPON YOURSELF WITH ALL YOUR WEAKNESSES.
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 John 4:4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Romans 8:37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Matthew 17:20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Luke 1:37For with God nothing shall be impossible.
C. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED SOMETHING OF A BLESSING, YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
WHAT DID YOU DO WITH IT ? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH YOUR MARRIAGE ? YOUR MONEY ? YOUR HEALTH ? YOUR CHILDREN ?
James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
D. FIGHTING INVOLVES PUSHING ASIDE ALL THE CLAIMS OF THE DEVIL AND RECEIVING JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD.
NOW IS THE TIME TO WIN THE VICTORY BY PUTTING YOUR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS.
SOMETIMES THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE HARD TO BELIEVE.
Psalms 3:1 « A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. » LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1. FAITH IN THE LORD IS BETTER THAN WORRY.
A. IT ALL WORKS OUT FOR THE BEST IN THE LONG RUN.
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
B. BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS THE FIRST TIME, AND DON’T TRY TO CHANGE IT.
WHEN GOD STANDS AGAINST PEOPLE, THEY HAD BETTER REVISE THEIR WAYS OR ELSE QUICKER JUDGMENT WILL COME.
Numbers 22:34-35 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
C. CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE DO NOT MEAN THAT EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE IS AGAINST YOU.
NAOMI’S FINAL CONCLUSION WAS THAT GOD WAS AGAINST HER.
Ruth 1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
2. CHRISTIANS HAVE THE SPECIAL ADVANTAGE OF GOD BEING ON THEIR SIDE.
A. WE ARE VICTORIOUS THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD.
IT MAY NOT BE EASY, AND IT USUALLY INVOLVES SOME FIGHTING ON OUR PART.
1 Samuel 17:34-36 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
B. THEY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF PRAYER. DAVID PRAYED THAT THE ENEMY WOULD NOT WIN.
Psalms 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
SOMETIMES OUR BIGGEST ENEMY IS OUR OWN UNCONTROLLED IMAGINATIONS.
3. WE HAVE TO THROW OFF THE WAYS OF THIS WORLD.
A. UNBELIEF.
DO NOT EXPECT THE ENEMY TO WIN. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO ANTICIPATE WHAT DOES NOT EXIST.
Psalm 27:3-6 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
We are surrounded by things unseen with human eyes. There are things God made that we cannot see. The winds cannot be seen, but we can easily see the results of them. Likewise, God created angels. Most of the time, we cannot see them, but we see the results of what they do. These angels fall into two general categories. Angels which are true and faithful to God, and the angels which rebelled against God and are commonly called devils, fallen angels, demons, and evil spirits.
Like the wind, they are present almost everywhere. Some are more intense than others, but be certain that they have an effect upon your life.
1. ANGELS HAVE AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN THE WORK OF GOD.
A. ANGELS WERE CREATED BY GOD, AND THEY WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE HIGH AS THE LORD JESUS.
There are some religions who believe angels, such as Lucifer, to be equal to Jesus but scripture tells us that Jesus is the One who is worshiped and on the throne of His kingdom.
Hebrews 1:6-8 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
B. GOD HAS SPECIAL TASKS FOR THE ANGELS.
–THEY CAN BE SENT FOR THE PROTECTION OF HIS PEOPLE.
Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
–THEY CAN BE SENT TO DELIVER A BELIEVER FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH.
Acts 12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
C. THEY ARE SENT TO REVEAL A MESSAGE FROM GOD.
–THEY ARE SOMETIMES SENT TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC REVELATION OF TRUTH. God sent an angel to Mary, to Joseph, to Zacharias about John the Baptist, and also in Revelation these angels were sent:
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
–THEY MAY BE SENT TO BRING A REVELATION OF THE FUTURE.
Revelation 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
–THEY MAY BE SENT TO BRING INSTRUCTIONS.
Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
Acts 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
–SOMETIMES THEY ARE SENT TO OPEN OUR EYES TO WHAT GOD IS DOING.
Genesis 31:11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.
Numbers 22:26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
Numbers 22:27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
Numbers 22:31-32 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
–SOMETIMES THEY ARE SENT TO PROTECT US AND KEEP US SAFE AND COMFORT US.
Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Zechariah 1:12-13 Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
—GOD SENT THEM TO BRING LOT OUT OF SODOM.
Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
2. ANGELS CAN BE SENT TO FULFILL A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM GOD.
A. THEY CAN BRING DOWN SPECIAL EVENTS OF HEALING.
John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
–SOMETIMES THEY ARE SENT TO BRING JUDGMENT.
2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
3. THE NATURE OF ANGELS MAKES THEM VERY DIFFERENT FROM HUMAN BEINGS.
A. SINCE THE MORAL FALL OF ADAM, THEY APPEAR TO HAVE A SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE, AND CAN DO MANY THINGS HUMANS CANNOT DO.
Psalms 104:4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
B. ANGELS HAVE A DIFFERENT COMPOSITION FROM MAN.
ANGELS WERE MADE AS SPIRIT. UNIQUE SPIRITS IN THAT THEY CAN APPEAR AS MEN, AND EVEN EAT FOOD, AS THEY DID WITH ABRAHAM.
–THEY ARE NOT LIMITED BY THE LAWS OF PHYSICS WHICH APPLY TO MEN. Angels appears in sky.
Revelation 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
–THEY CAN CHANGE IN FORM AND LOOK LIKE A MAN.
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
–THEY CAN CONTROL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THEIR MINDS.
Ezekiel 1:19-21 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
4. ANGELS DO NOT SEEM TO EXPRESS THE CARING AND COMPASSION OF THE GOD WHO MADE THEM.
A. THEY SIMPLY CARRY OUT WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
–ARE ANGELS THE SENSITIVE, LOVING CREATURES WHICH MANY ASSUME THAT THEY ARE ? They don’t understand the grace of God which brought Jesus.
1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
–THEY SEE WHAT YOU DO. (WATCHERS)
Jeremiah 4:16 Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Daniel 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
Daniel 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
–THEY KEEP RECORDS.
Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Ezekiel 9:11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
Ezekiel 10:1 -2 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.
5. ANGELS WILL BE JUDGED ONE DAY AFTER JESUS RETURNS TO THE EARTH.
A. SOME ANGELS SERVE THE WRONG GOD, AND WILL BE PUNISHED FOREVER.
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
B. WHEN ANGELS OR PEOPLE DO NOT FOLLOW GOD’S WILL, THAT IS CALLED SIN. WHEN THAT HAPPENS IT KNOCKS THE ENTIRE PERSON, THEIR FAMILY AND THEIR COUNTRY OFF FROM THE PERFECT PLAN WHICH GOD HAD FOR THEM.
C. IF GOD DEALT WITH ANGELS, HE WILL ALSO DEAL WITH EVERY HUMAN BEING.
2 Peter 2:4-6 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
IF YOUR SINS ARE NOT FORGIVEN BY GOD, ONE DAY YOU WILL BE CARRIED BY THE ANGELS TO JUDGMENT WHETHER YOU WANT TO BE, OR NOT.
THE ANGELS ARE THE REAPERS. PEOPLE STILL ALIVE AT THE PHYSICAL RETURN OF THE LORD TO THIS EARTH WILL BE CAPTURED BY THE ANGELS AND BROUGHT BEFORE GOD.
Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Every day we see more and more tragedy all over the world. This brings up the question in many people “Can’t God do something ?” Yes. He is doing something. He is showing people the fruits of evil actions. He is making them see that life without His is horrible.
God gave Adam and Eve a choice in the Garden of Eden. So today, each person has a choice to make. As people choose to follow their own hearts desires instead of choosing to obey God, the condition of the world will get worse. God is allowing the world to see what following Satan results in.
Matthew 24:6-8 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
1. THE DEVIL HAS POWER, AND DESIRES TO RULE OVER PEOPLE.
A. GOD WANTS PEOPLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SATAN RULES. THEY ARE THEN GIVEN A CHOICE.
It is hard to decide between two things when you don’t know what the two things really are. People today are fed much false information about the devil, and need to know that they can reject the devil and his ways.
Isaiah 14:16-17 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
B. GOD PUTS A HEDGE AROUND HIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN THOSE WHO SIMPLY RESPECT HIS WORD. THIS PROTECTS THEM FROM DOING THE FOOLISH THINGS.
Consider this, you won’t find any of the people committing mass murders going to church, or studying the Bible or having fellowship with born-again people.
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
–GOD PUT A HEDGE AROUND LOT IN THE O.T. BECAUSE OF THE PRAYERS OF ABRAHAM. BUT, GOD WAS GIVING HIM TIME TO GET RIGHT AND WOULD HAVE REMOVED HIS TIME ON EARTH IF IT WASN’T FOR ABRAHAM PLEADING WITH GOD.
–TAKE AWAY GOD’S HEDGE, AND THE PEOPLE WILL BE OVERRUN WITH EVIL.
Isaiah 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
2. GOD HAS ALLOWED PEOPLE TO DECIDE ON THEIR GOVERNMENTS.
THIS IS TO LET THEM DETERMINE IF ANY HUMAN-LED GOVERNMENT IS GOOD, OR NOT.
A. GOVERNMENTS SO FAR ARE OF THE GENTILES.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
B. THE DEVIL, THROUGH THE WORLD, HAS TRIED EVERY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT, AND HAS FAILED.
Daniel’s image was the representation of types of human government.
Daniel 2:31-35 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
3. SICKNESS, DISEASE, ACCIDENTS ARE ALTERNATIVES TO THE PERFECTION WHICH GOD ESTABLISHED.
THESE CAME BECAUSE THE DEVIL DECEIVED MANKIND INTO THINKING HIS WAYS WOULD BE BETTER.
A. PEOPLE FOLLOW LIES AND SUFFER AND DIE BECAUSE OF IT.
–MANY DECEPTIVE SPIRITS.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
–THE DEVIL HIMSELF IS INVOLVED IN DECEIVING PEOPLE.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
–A PERSON CAN DECEIVE THEMSELVES, TOO. GOD GIVES US THE OPTION OF GETTING OUR HEADS ON STRAIGHT.
Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
B. WE CAN CHOOSE LIFE OR DEATH.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
MANY DECEIVE THEMSELVES INTO THINKING THEY ARE GOOD ENOUGH. GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE IT TO HEAVEN.
INSANITY GRIPS THE WORLD. THERE COMES A POINT IN A HUMAN’S DEVELOPMENT WHEN THEY HAVE REJECTED GOD’S WILL SO MUCH THAT GOD ALLOWS AN INFLUENCE OVER THEM WHICH DESTROYS THEIR ABILITY TO THINK AND REASON PROPERLY. WHY DO PEOPLE THINK DIFFERENTLY TODAY ? THEY HAVE BEEN BLINDED. FIRST, AS A RESULT OF JUDGMENT FROM GOD. SECONDLY, FROM THEM YIELDING TO THE INFLUENCE OF THE DEVIL.
2 Corinthians 3:14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
CAN SATAN CHANGE A PERSON’S THINKING ?
CAN GOD CHANGE IT BACK ? GOD GIVES IT TO US. BUT WE CAN LOSE IT.
2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
RENEWING OF THE MIND.
Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1. THE WORLD HAS ALREADY CONCLUDED THAT THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS INSANE.
**Government officials have stated that for a person to think that homosexuality is wrong or that abortion is wrong, that those people are not mentally balanced. In other words, they are calling true Christians insane.
A. THE WORLD ACCUSED JESUS OF BEING INSANE.
John 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
HE WAS CONSIDERED INSANE BECAUSE HE SPOKE THE TRUTH AND WAS UNWILLING TO AGREE WITH THE WORLD’S LOGIC.
B. CHRISTIANS ACCUSED OF BEING INSANE.
Acts 26:24-25 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
–MISUSE OF THE GIFTS WILL CAUSE THE WORLD TO ASSUME WE ARE INSANE.
1 Corinthians 14:23If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
–FALSE CHRISTIANS ARE INDEED AWAY FROM THE MIND OF CHRIST.
1 Timothy 6:5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2. WE DON’T WANT TO ALLOW THE INSANITY OF THIS WORLD TO AFFECT US.
A. BEING TOO SPONTANEOUS IN OUR SPEACH DOES NOT ALLOW OUR HEARTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE SP[IRIT OF GOD. THIS RESULTS IN FOOLISH TALK.
**THE WORLD TODAY WANTS INSTANT COMMUNICATION AND INSTANT ANSWERS. THIS IS NOT GOOD. THEY NEED TO ALLOW GOD’S SPIRIT TO WORK.
Proverbs 29:11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
–O.T. JURIES SOUGHT ANSWERS FROM GOD. THEY TOOK TIME TO COME TO A DECISION. TODAY, EVERYTHING IS TRIED IMMEDIATELY IN THE PRESS, AND PEOPLE ACCEPT THOSE VERDICTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO BUSY TO THINK AND PRAY THINGS THROUGH.
Leviticus 24:12And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them.
B. MISINTERPRETING INFORMATION CAN MAKE A PERSON’S MIND DRAW THE WRONG CONCLUSIONS. NEBUCHADNEZZAR THOUGHT THE ACHIEVEMENTS WERE HIS OWN.
Daniel 5:20-21But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
3. THOUGH INSANITY MAY BECOME EPIDEMIC, CHRISTIANS STILL HAVE POWER AND HEALING FOR THE MIND AND SOUL.
A. WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST.
DOES HE FREELY SHARE THINGS WITH US ? YES ! WHAT IF ADAM AND EVE HAD SOUGHT THE MIND OF THE LORD INSTEAD OF ACTING SPONTANEOUSLY ?
Philippians 2:5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
B. WE ARE EXPECTED TO BE REASONABLE PEOPLE. PEOPLE WHO ACT UPON GODLY LOGIC, NOT THE LOGIC OF THIS WORLD.
Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
HERE’S WHAT YOU MUST DO–
1. RECOGNIZE THAT THIS WORLD AND IT’S THINKING IS DOOMED. 2. ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THE WORLD WILL DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO INFECT YOU WITH ITS DOOMING LOGIC AND REASONING. 3. RECOGNIZE THAT GOD CAN HELP YOU TO RESIST THE WORLD AND ITS THINKING. 4. GOD ALONE CAN GIVE YOU POWER OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY. 5. YOU MUST SEEK GOD’S POWER, AND DESIRE TO ESCAPE THE WAYS OF THE WORLD. 6. SALVATION IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE BUT IN JESUS CHRIST. 7. YOU CANNOT BE PASSIVE. YOU HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS OF FAITH AND FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THEM.
