Faith Free Will Baptist Church

Posts Tagged ‘Faith’

*BUT SATAN HINDERED US*

(I Thess 2:18)

America has faced many enemies in our short history: Germany in WWI, Japan in WWII, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the heartless terrorist of this generation.  But there is an enemy craftier, more hateful, and more destructive than any this world has ever faced.  He is the enemy called Satan, the devil whose ultimate goal is to bring God and any associated with Him down.

*In spite of the persecution and affliction the church at Thessalonica was doing quite well.  But in the text, we read how Satan successfully hindered the men of God at they attempted to reach more people for Christ.

Today I want us to notice how Satan hinders the unbelievers from coming to Christ.

(1)    He hinders by afflicting Christians

(Vs 14,15  Read)

*There is no doubt in my mind that Satan is behind the persecution and afflictions of the Church.  Both physically and spiritually.

*We also need to realize the Lord allows a certain amount of liberty in this.

*The best example of this is in the life of Job.

*Probably no one suffered more in such a short period of time than Job.

(Job 1:13-19)  Reveals two losses to Job:

1)      Property and servants: Job lost 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 she-donkeys plus servants.  In one day Job was completely bankrupt.

2)      Sons and daughters

(Job 2:7  Read)

*We cannot begin to understand the agony he must have been in.  Surely there was one who could offer a world of comfort, one he had know for many years, one who had seen him live for the Lord and encourage him to trust God.  But look at the word of his compassionate wife  (Job 2:9)

*The wealth and health preachers today say if you are sick you have no faith, but let them say that to:

Paul who said to Timothy “Take a little wine for his stomach sake”  (I Tim 5:23  & II Tim 4:20)

Paul who left Trophimus sick in Miletus

Paul who said Epaphrodutus fell ill and almost died  (Phil 2:25-30)

(2)    Satan hinders us from doing the work of God which would benefit us

(Matt 26)  Peter, James and John go with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Our Lord is in great distress in (vs 38) He tells them “watch with Me” after praying He returns to where they are and finds them sleeping (vs 40) “What could ye not watch with Me one hour” but notice what else He says (vs 41  Read)

*The Lord wants you to witness, read His Word, pray each day, attend church and do His good works and you would like to do those things.  You’ve mad promises to yourselves to serve God more faithfully.

1) You intend to talk to someone you know about Christ but something hinders you.

2) You want to come to more church services but something keeps coming up.

3) You want to tithe your income but your car broke down, or plumbing went bad.

4) You want to read your Bible daily but get busy and the day ends without you doing it.

*Satan will do his best to make you sleep when you should be watching, praying or working.

(3) Satan hinders us by keeping us from spreading God’s Word

(I Thes 2:16  Read)

*Satan will go to great lengths to keep you and I from sharing Christ with others.

*The ACLU and others will go to great lengths to keep the Gospel confined in the four walls of the local church.

*Several years back, a dean at Stanford University began to pressure Christian groups on campus to stop the practice of witnessing to other students.  He was angered not by the content of the message but the practice of telling others.  His opinion “You are implying that a person’s beliefs are inferior to your own.  It is self-righteous, biased and intolerant”.  Is it self-righteous and intolerant to want to see others know the joy of Christ and escape Hell?

(4) Satan hinders by sowing tares among the wheat

(Matt 13:25,39  Read)

Two questions:

1)      What is a tare?  It is a poisonous weed that looks very similar to the wheat.  At the beginning you can’t tell them apart and by the time they have grown together it would endanger the wheat if you try to separate it.

2)      What is a tare in the church?

*It is unsaved church members and unfortunately we may have some in this church.  They come regularly, they speak words which insinuate they are Christians.  But outside of these walls, their words, their deeds prove otherwise.

* How sad that the Holy Church of Christ is made to look hypocritical, a fake because  those professing to be Christians are seen staggering down a street in drunkenness .

*I cannot always see the difference between the tares and wheat but God can.

(5) Satan hinders the unsaved by stealing the seed or Word of God

(Luke 8:11,12  Read)

1)      He will try to keep your heart unprepared to receive God’s Word.  Got along with spouse all week till Sunday and argued all the way to church.

2)      He will try to keep you from hearing the Truth when it is offered.

Keep you daydreaming or occupied with something else in church.

Story is told of a minister that was preaching a church that had a wall pipe organ and he said “ I don’t know how many pipes are in the organ”.  A man hollered out “53”.

*COMMANDMENTS FOR CHRISTIANS*

(I Thes 5:16-23)

Webster defines the word commandment as a law or order, especially in the Bible, any of the Ten Laws God gave to Moses.

*Yet I find in the scriptures that there are certain commands the Apostle Paul gives which will produce maturity and growth toward perfection in our Christian walk.   (vs 23  Read)

*I believe all Christians should desire at least two things in their personal lives:

1) To grow spiritually and have a deeper sense of God in their lives daily.

2) To have a deep yearning in their heart for the Lord’s return.

(*In fulfilling (vs 23) Paul gives us seven commandments:)

(1) Rejoice evermore (vs 16)

*For what are we to rejoice?

1) Rejoice for all the good things the Lord has done for you

(Deut 26:11)  “And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee.”

*Folks are we not better off right now than we were years ago?

2) Rejoice in a good church home

(Ps 122:1) “I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord.”

*Listen:  I know the grass looks greener somewhere else but I love it here.

3) Rejoice if your children are saved

(Prov 23:24) “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice”

4) Rejoice when folks get saved

(Luke 15) Gives us two parables in which something was lost but found:

(vs 6) “rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost”

(vs 9) “rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost”

5) Rejoice because you are saved

(Luke 10:20) “rejoice because your names are written in heaven”

(2) “ Pray without ceasing”  (vs 17)

*In (I Thes) Paul mentions at least three times praying (1:2    3:10   5:25)

*We are to be in a constant attitude of prayer, ready to pray effectively in a minutes notice.

(3) (vs 18  Read)

*Notice what Paul says in (Rom 8:28  Read)

*I realize not everything is perfect, not everything goes right.

*Why are we to give thanks in everything?

“For this is the will of God”

Question: Can you trust the Lord enough to thank Him for everything that comes into your life?

(4) “Quench not the spirit” (vs 19)

*The Holy Spirit is not an it, but a person, the third head of the Trinity of God.  As such He can be quenched.

1) The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, you quench Him by not acknowledging it in your life

2) The Holy Spirit can be quenched when we disrupt His work in public worship

3) Quenched when we refuse to obey His leading

(Eph 4:30) “And grieve not the Holy Spirit where by ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

(5) “Despise not prophesying”  (vs 20)

*Prophesy is not foretelling but forth telling.

*Prophesy is telling what is going to happen.  Paul’s meaning here is telling known truth.  We call it preaching.  The preacher reveals God’s word to us.

*Your attitude toward preaching determines whether you despise it.

*Do you enjoy singing but endure preaching?  How sad when people follow singers but not the hunger for preaching God’s word.

(6) “Prove all things”  (vs 21)

1) Points of doctrine

*What do you believe about the virgin birth, blood atonement, the second coming of Christ?

2) Prove doubtful things

*Some doubt their salvation

Question: How are we to prove things?

*By the Word of God.  I don’t care what your experiences are, if the Bible does not back it up, it’s false.

(7) “Abstain from all appearances of evil”  (vs 22)

*It is not enough to abstain from evil but to abstain from the very appearance of it.

*Unless absolutely necessary I don’t meet alone with a woman who is not my wife.

*Remember this: If there is any question in your mind whether something is right or wrong, then it’s wrong for you.

Is It Worth It To Be A Christian?

Psalm 73

In these scriptures, we see a serious struggle in the heart of a child of God who is concerned by the seeming contradiction he finds around him.

He looks around him and sees the prosperity of the wicked:       (1) There are people who do not care for God, who do not try to live for God.

(2) They have an easy time on their jobs, they seem to have all the material things they want; never does misfortune seem to come to them.

(3) The wicked seem to prosper better than those who live for the Lord.

* When we read vs 13-16, we see King David’s brokenness over this and his hasty conclusion: “That it just isn’t worth it.” He says what some think.

But notice vs 17

* In light of eternity, in light of God’s word, it really did matter about living for the Lord. (vs 24-28)

[Notice Three Reasons Why It Matters]1.             In light of our Past, it is worth it

We may come from different places, our life’s experiences may be different, but we all identify with one thing: (Romans 3:23)

* Even saved, our sinful past brings baggage with it.        (1) The Guilt of Sin

Some live day after day with guilt, things they cannot change now: Joseph’s brothers, who sold him into slavery

David’s adultery and murder; no doubt walking out on his

balcony reminded him

(2) Condemnation of Sin

(John 3:18)

(Romans 8:1)

(3) Burden of Sin

The devil does his utmost to cause us to live in constant sorrow and remorse, but Jesus bore all our guilt, our condemnation, our burden of sin and was nailed to the Cross, giving us a new life. (II Corinthians 5:17-21)

2.            In light of our Present, it is worth it

People seem to have more and more, but are enjoying it less and less. Some seem miserable.

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, who reveals the emptiness of not serving God: (1) Solomon tried Riches; Today’s money – 20 million a year.

(2) Solomon tried Alcohol.

(3) Solomon tried Lust; 700 wives, 300 concubines.

(4) Solomon tried Education; 3,000 proverbs, 1,005 songs, yet he said “All is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Romans 8:28)

Your struggles today can bring shouts of victory tomorrow.

3.            In light of our Future, it is worth it

Everyone has a Future; The question is what is the future going to bring for you?              (1) If you are not saved

(Hebrews 9:27)

(2) If you are saved

(John 14:1-6)

How to Discourage the Devil

James 4:7

If there is anything the devil and I agree on, it is the fact that he hates me and I hate him.

* We often hear people talk of their battles and struggles with our #1 enemy. Tonight let’s expose him and discourage him.

Who is the devil?

* He is a real person. He was created an Angelic being: Ezekiel 28  Full of wisdom and perfect in his ways, until iniquity was found in him.

Isaiah 14  Tells us pride swelled up in Lucifer’s heart and he tried to overthrow God. He was defeated and cast out.

Luke 10:18  Jesus said He saw Satan fall.

Notice his characteristics:             A Liar   (John 8:44 )

An Enemy   (I Peter 5:8,9)

The Tempter   (Mark 1:12,13)

A Hypocrite   (II Corinthians 11:14)

A Hinderer   (I Thessalonians 2:18)

An Oppressor   (Acts 10:38)

An Accuser   (Revelation 12:10)

1.            Prayer discourages the devil.

(Philippians 4:6)

Never give up praying, God is not deaf, He will answer, Wait upon the Lord.

2.            Soul-winning discourages the devil.

(Matthew 4:19)

We have our orders: (Matthew 28:19,20)

3.            Tithes and offerings discourage the devil.

God gives the saints a glorious promise if they will be faithful in their giving: (Malachi 3:10)

4.            The Word of God Discourages the devil.

(Hebrews 4:12)

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, the Lord replied “It is written”

Read (Romans 8:31)

Beloved, when the devil tries to discourage you for your past failures, we remind him of his coming future.

(Revelation 20:10)

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTIANITY

(Proverbs 22:28)

We have a new generation living today who has seen many great inventions over the last 25 years:

Microwaves, cell phones, computers, cars with all types of gadgets.

*But there’s is also a older generation who were born before these things: a generation which remembers

(1) rolling down car windows for a/c

(2) beating a rug on clothesline with broom

(3) going to bed with windows up and doors unlocked

(4) women canning in Mason Jars

(5) knowing all your neighbors by name

(6) that Coke was something you drank

(7) that gay meant you were happy

(8) a mouse was a rodent to catch in a trap

(9) a website was where a spider lived

(10) you hoped it was not raining or snowing when you had to use

the bathroom

Our generation has seen many good things happen, but sadly we also feel we no longer need God.  We need preaching without compromise.  Examples: Billy Sunday, John Wesley, etc.

Wesley said to a young preacher who wanted bigger crowds,” allow God to set you on fire and the people will come to watch you burn.”

Three Areas of Old Fashion Preaching

1       Preaching Against Sin

(Numbers 32:23)

Examples : Cain, Achan, Samson

It is time we named sins – this generation seems to ignore or deny what sin is.  People need to realize God’s men are not puppets to be ignored, but listened to and honored.

2       Preaching About Hell

(Luke 16)

If you will study what Jesus said about Heaven and Hell, you will realize He spoke more on Hell than Heaven.

(1)            It is not a place of parties with friends

(2)            It is not a place of rest, but torment

(3)            It is not a place of peace and quiet but of wailing and gnashing of teeth

(4)            It is not a place of family reunions but of separation

(5)            It is not a place where you forget your previous life but of remembrance

3       Preaching about Sacrifice

(Luke 9:23)

Jesus still calls for us to get out of casual, comfortable Christianity.

*What are you willing to do that will let Jesus be 1St in your life?

(1)     In your salvation

(2)     In home bible study and prayer daily

(3)     1st in the church you attend

(1) by your giving

(2) by your attendance

(3) by your talents

PART 8: MIRRORS OFTHE CHRISTIAN LIFE – PINS AND NEEDLES

PART 8:       MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

*PINS AND NEEDLES*

(Ps 73:28)

*In July 2005, more than two years had passed since the tragic loss of seven astronauts aboard Columbia.

*NASA was preparing to launch their shuttle program again.  On the day of the launch three major TV networks were set-up.  A storm was near so they waited until it passed.  But a technical difficulty arose and the world had to wait for almost two weeks.  Americans were sitting on pins and needles.

*This phrase carriers two meanings:

1) The physical condition called paresthesia, which is the prickling sensation of an arm or leg falling asleep.

2) Most often the phrase, pins and needles, describes the emotions we feel when we are nervous, unsettled, or full of worried anticipation.

(II Cor 7:5)  “For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.”

*We should never be constantly on pins and needles but seek our hearts to be stitched together with the thread of spiritual truths.

(Notice three thoughts:)

(1) The pins of God’s promises

(Jer 1:12)  “I will hasten My word to perform it.”  (Watch over it.)

*Have you ever watched someone pin together pieces of cloth before sewing into a dress.  Fashion designers still put needles in prototypes before sewing their first dress.

*Likewise our own hearts are held together by the pins of God’s promises.

*The promise of God’s word keep our hearts from falling apart during times of stress and strains.

(II Sam 5)  King David was a young boy when anointed by Samuel to be King over Israel.  Yet he was 30 years old when he began to reign but after Saul’s death he still reigned 7 1/2 years in Hebron before going to Jerusalem to reign over all Judah and Israel.

*Dr. Donald Barnhouse, a well-known preacher and writer of years ago, tells the story of living in France during his school years.

*On the dinner table set a small box with 200 promises from God.  On one occasion he led a French girl to Christ.  She often saw him and his parents reach in the box to get a promise.  During World War II this woman found herself in real distress.  The only food she had was what was found in trash cans.  Desperate for her needs she weep, crying out to God, “Lord what promise can I have in this time of famine and danger”.  Blinded by her tears, she reached for the box but knocked it off the table.  Her promises scattered all around her on the floor.  Suddenly she realized that it wasn’t  just one promise that was available to her, but all God’s promises were for her.

*The same precious promises are ours, in fact they are the pins that hold together our broken hearts in the hour of our greatest need.

(II Cor 1:20)  “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

(2) The needle of God’s nearness

*I know of no Christian who has not felt at sometime, in the walk with God, distant from Him.  Satan is a masterful enemy of trying to discourage us and even make us feel God has deserted us.

(Ps 73:28   Read again)

*The needles join the pieces to make a single garment in which the pins hold together the pieces until it is made into one garment.

(I Sam 30)  When David’s own men talked of stoning him to death (vs 6 says) “but David encouraged himself in the Lord”.

*Listen to these words and tell me, does this great promise speak of His nearness to us?

(Deut 33:27)  “The Eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

*Why do you think Daniel could sleep in the lion’s den?  Why do you think the three Hebrew boys could walk in the fire?  Why do you think Paul and Silas could sing praises to God while in prison?

*They knew God was with them.

*We build a church knowing He is there.

(3) The thread of God’s truth

(Ps 119:130)  “The entrance of thy words giveth light.”

*The pins of God’s promises and the needle of His nearness do little good without the thread of bibical truths.

*It’s useless to pass the needle back and forth thru the cloth if the thread is not attached.

(So is our relationship with God if it has no thread of sound doctrine.)

*There was a time when sound bible teaching was accepted.  Today those who hold to such strictness are call dogmatic, intolerant and outdated.

Closing:

If you’re going to live on pins and needles:

1) Make them the pins of His promises.

2) The needle of His nearness.

3) The thread of His truth.

(That kind of life never falls apart at the seams.)