… Principalities …

Just like a kingdom is comprised of the territory over which a king reigns, a principality is an area over which a prince rules.  Who is ruling over this world that we now live in? 

I’m reminded of Ephesians 6:12 “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.”  In the context, the word “principalities” evidently refers to “head demons” (who are in charge of certain aspects of Satan’s Kingdom) and the office and area they dominate.

Remember, Second Corinthians 4:4 refers to Satan as “the god of this world.”

Ephesians 2:2 calls him “the prince of the power of the air.”

In Matthew 4:8-9 it is recorded that “the devil took Jesus up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and said to him, “All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”  Did Jesus say, “No, they are not yours to give,” in response to Lucifer’s tempting offer?  No!  And the reason that He did not is because those kingdoms were indeed within the property rights of the Devil at that time.  From the day that he was cast down to the earth, he has been running to and fro wreaking havoc and causing destruction in the lair that God has allowed him to possess.  Man’s choice to sin against God in the Garden (in accordance with the devious counsel of that old serpent the Devil) doomed the race to a life and death in keeping with this fallen angel’s plight.  Hell was prepared for the Devil and his angels, yet any man who dies without willingly submitting to the offer of redemption will continue to exist in the miserable and lonely company of every evil and unclean spirit, throughout all of eternity.  But, what power do these beasts that we call demons have over believers? 

A friend of mine was discussing this with me last Sunday and got me to thinking a little more about it.  We can’t see or understand the swirling masses of angelic and demonic personalities that fly around us all of the time – yet the Bible is very clear in proclaiming that they are there.

Consider some positive texts.

1Corinthians 11:10, “For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.” 

Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” 

First Peter 1:11-12, “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.   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.”

Psalm 91:11 “He will give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”

Probably the two most potent examples are found in Second Kings 6:17 and Matthew 26:53. 

In Second Kings we find Elisha asking God to open the eyes of his fearful servant that he might see the angelic host of guardian angels that surrounded him.  “Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.’  And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

In Matthew Jesus said, “Do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?” 

Now, if God has his messengers everywhere working toward the furtherance of good, do you and I overstretch our imagination when we propose that the forces of darkness are also milling around us aiming to accomplish evil.  It is no stretch at all.  The Bible clearly states it.  Ephesians 6:12 is clear enough, but there are others passages as well.

First Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:”

Second Corinthians 11:14 “Satan… is transformed into an angel of light.” 

Second Corinthians 12:7 “Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

First Corinthians 5:5 “Deliver such an one [an unrepentant saint] unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 

First Corinthians 7:5 “[Husbands and wives] defraud ye not one the other [sexually], except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” 

First John 4:1 “Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…”

It is October.  There is no time of the year that reminds me more of spiritual warfare than Halloween season.  I don’t usually talk much about it, but I am increasingly astounded at society’s appetite for horrific, repulsive, ghostly, ghastly, gory and gross entertainment.  It is obvious that being wicked is not enough – there must be an increasing intensity and frequency in presentations and depictions of witchcraft, violent deaths, senseless murders, surreal torture and all sorts of rotten decadence (and, if you do not know what I am talking about – good!)  I just don’t get the point.  What is the appeal in all of this ugliness and debauched evil-worship?  Why would I celebrate death, graveyards, spider webs, bloody messes and grim reapers?  Sure, I enjoy a measure of suspense and intensity in my entertainment, (well, in life altogether for that matter).  But, do people have to come to the edge of puking or demonic possession in order to get a thrill?  See, God is described as beautiful and glorious in His holy Word.  Satan was once a reflection of that wonder, but his astounding brightness has been marred and twisted by lies – now he promotes every kind of dirty and wicked device he can in order to counter the revelations of the majestic splendor of God that should enrapture our attention.  He says, “Come with me, I can make your heart beat faster.  I can give you a thrill that far outshines any pleasure that some holy God can offer.  And, the buzz that I can offer is instant, not deferred.”  Amazingly, we live in a day where barbarian Satanism is celebrated and laughed at as if it were imaginary, benign or appetizing. 

Be it known: we are in a battle against the Devil and his demons.  He will use every avenue: subtle or bold.  He will attack from the front, the back, the sides, the top and the bottom.  He hates God, he hates God’s church and he hates every believer.  He uses intimidation, ignorance, education and intuition.  He uses the Bible, he uses believers, he uses governments and he even uses churches – anything and anybody that will give him an inch.  He is a liar.  He lies smoothly and intelligently.  He is experienced and wily.  And, unfortunately, we are no match for him or his minions.  King Saul learned how awful demons could be (see First Samuel 16:14 and following).  He even tried to murder his own son-prince while under the influence of his evil imp (First Samuel 20:33). 

It is my conviction that the forces of evil can possess unbelievers within and oppress the children of God from without.  If we ever willingly step out from under the umbrella of protection that God’s abiding benevolent presence provides, we are open to the attack of that wicked one.  Now, truly, God can allow us to be attacked even if we have not brought it upon ourselves.  He did just that to both Job and Paul.  He does indeed allow certain trials into the lives of His children in order to bring Glory to His own name and to bring good into our future.  But, as a rule, the strategy is simple… “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you” (James 4:7b-8a).  Sandwiching this promise, I believe James tells us how to get close to God and how to run the Devil off: “Submit yourselves… to God… Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.”

I believe I have been the victim of satanic attacks from time to time.  In some ways, at times I have opened myself up to it.  In other areas, I am confident that he was attacking because he knows that I’m a true child of God, one loves the Savior.  He wouldn’t fight me if I were doing nothing against his cause – surely…

I close with another powerful verse from Ephesians six (6).  Verse 16, “Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”  Faith in God is highly pleasing to our Father, but is also highly empowering for the saint.  He rewards faith.  Faith says, “I will do right and leave the results to God.” 

My prayer today: “Dear God, strengthen me as I strive to live by faith.  Be merciful to me and forgive my doubts.  Build a high hedge around me, my family, my church – please, keep ol’ slewfoot out of our lives!  Help me to fight the good fight of faith every day that I live – not against people, but against spiritual wickedness.”         

Feast for the Faith

This Sunday is an extremely important date in the life of our church.  We are celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of this body of believers (now known as Grace) that has existed in this little town now for half a century.  The Calvary Community Church was formed here in Hurlock in 1957, but two years later it was organized as Grace Baptist Church.  We still have two of our charter members who faithfully attend and serve the Lord together with us.  This week I was talking to them about the events of the past five decades when I realized that they have been through roughly 10,000 hours of worship, fellowship and Biblical instruction at Grace.  What an amazing realization.

Last night I pointed out to them (Percy and Jeanette Dean) that if I were to live to be 83, and remained as pastor of GBC until then, I could preside over the 100^th anniversary of Grace Baptist Church – what a thrill that would be… (Hey, they were older than I am now when they helped establish this church, so, why not?)

Seriously, this date marks a great occasion and should be observed grandly with joyous celebration and rejoicing.  Whatever sadness and trouble we are facing in our lives should be set aside for this day of worship and fellowship.  I am reminded of Nehemiah 8:9-12 where it is recorded that Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites that taught the people, said, “‘This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep…. Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength…  Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.’   And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth…”

Nehemiah certainly knew what it meant to respect the honor of a king.  He had been a cup bearer for Artaxerxes.  According to Nehemiah 2:1, he had never been sad in the presence of the king (up to that point).  He understood how a king required and deserved a certain level of tribute and reverence.  He smiled at the king even when he didn’t feel happy.  Perhaps (in part, in addition to the fear for his own life) he did so because acceptance into the presence of the royal monarch was to be considered a great privilege.  The majesty of the king was to be celebrated and lauded.  Everything the king did was to be approved of by his loyal servants.

There are other occasions (that are more familiar to us) that require a certain air of gladness and congratulatory levity.  Weddings and graduations are easy examples.  Even if I have major problems current in my personal life, I would (should) refrain from expounding upon them at a wedding particularly.  It is an occasion for gladness.  Anyone who would presume to turn it into a platform for the promotion of the knowledge of their sad tidings would be making an unpardonable mistake to do so.  It is an opportunity to commend the groom, to complement the bride, to congratulate the parents and family, to cordially give gifts, to eat, to smile, to laugh, to be merry and to celebrate love.

Even so, on this occasion at Grace Baptist Church, we direct our attention to the grand and glorious wonders of God’s abundant grace and goodness to His people – particularly the folk in this church and community.  Not only that, but we look forward with anticipation and eager hope for God’s blessings upon us in the future.  He who has favored His children in the past can do so in the present and future as well.  It is our omnipotent God that we worship.  It is the Lord that we adore.  It is His works that we admire.  It is His power that we acknowledge.  It is for His pleasure that we serve one another. 

When standing beside a casket or at the side of a sickbed, we mourn and weep because of the manifestation of the results of the curse; of sin and evil.  But on glorious days such as this Sunday, our focus is not to be upon our own inadequacies, but upon the complete sufficiency of our Savior.  When men discuss the goodness and glory of the Father, let us never pull the focus away from Him toward the despicable failure of humankind.  Truly, we are wise start our ministry with people on the low note of the despair of fallen humanity, but once the heights of His merciful and forgiving presence bursts forth – may we not block out any of that beauty with discussions of the darkness that remains within our own hearts and lives.  Just as a bride has her moment, even more so, let the Lord have His moments when we allow nothing to sidetrack our attention from Him. 

I’m thinking of the feasts of the Bible.  According to Merrill F. Unger, there were a multitude of holy feasts (festivals) that were celebrated in Bible times.  Every Saturday, every new moon, every seventh year, every fiftieth year, Passover, Pentecost, atonement, tabernacles, Purim and other occasions were instituted for the people of God to pause in their regular schedule of activities to turn their focus toward God in a unique and more intense attitude of worship and celebration. 

These festivals were what we would think of as parties.  Literally the Hebrew word for “festival” is the word “dance.”  The Jews of Moses’ day didn’t have quite the same cultural inhibitions that I do in exhibiting their joy and exuberance toward God in a public display of open and lavish demonstrations of their happiness about God’s position, presence and presents.  Regardless of that issue – there is no doubt that, at the times of these festivals, people were to set aside their “issues” and allow the joy of the Lord reign in their hearts and dominate their demeanor.

{I’m not all to certain that we do not have a good reason to allow every day to be a party for us in this dispensation.  Hebrews chapter four speaks of how we have ceased from our own works altogether and have entered into His rest.  We are to rest in Him all the time.  We are to leave all things in His hands and exert our energy and efforts toward magnifying His name in all the earth (more on this side of the issue later – maybe, someday).}

Anyway – I invite you to smile, to laugh, to eat and drink, to shout and sing, to praise God, to thank Him, to lift up His name and honor Him with your being as we recognize His power and involvement in the establishment and preservation of this local body of believers.  Without Him we could do nothing; without Him we would be nothing.  Come, let us worship and bow down.  Let us kneel before the Lord our God, our Maker. He is the Lord.  We are sheep in His pasture.  May all the credit (for any good that has been done in the midst of His people) go wholly and hastily to Him.  He is all.  Let Him have the preeminence. 

I love the people in our church.  I admire the facilities.  I am thrilled with the ministries.  I agree with the doctrine.  I believe we have a good and moral testimony in the community.  But, above all else – let His name be praised.  He has the right to all the glory and adulation that can be handed out. 

We sometimes say things like – “stand for the faith” or “fight for the faith” … but this time, I am saying “feast for the faith.”  Let’s party holily in full and zealous fashion in celebration of God’s goodness and grace toward us.  How mighty and wondrous are His ways.  How kind and gentle are His hands.  How generous and patient is His heart!  Amen!?!?

You may not be a member or an associate of our ministry directly – yet as a brother or sister in Christ you should be thrilled right along with us!  Pray a prayer of exultant cheerfulness with me in adoration of the God who has done many marvelous works in Hurlock, MD.

To God be the Glory, He has done Great Things!

Hallelujah!

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FYI (this Sunday)

9:30 - Anniversary Interview on 100.9 FM

10:00 - Testimony Service

11:00 - Worship Service

12:30 - Dinner in the Ministry Center

Don't Blame it on the Litmus Paper

“Tempted, Tried and Tested”

This is a rehash of this past Sunday morning’s sermon.  I preached from Mark 7:18-23:

“Jesus said to them, ‘Are you so without understanding?  Do you not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without enters into the man, it cannot defile him; because it enters not into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats?’   And He said, ‘That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness , an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:   All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.’”

In a similar passage it is recorded this way:

“Jesus said, ‘Are you also yet without understanding?   Do not you yet understand, that whatsoever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?   But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with [ceremonially] unwashed hands defiles not a man [spiritually]” (Matthew 15:16-20).

Consider a few brief hypothetical questions here:

1.    Pedro is angry with his wife for burning the roast… again.  Whose fault is it that he is angry? 

2.    The stupid driver in front of Gertrude almost get’s a free bumper functionality test because he failed to turn on his blinker light (turn signal, if you please).  Gertrude rolls down the window and contributes a string of dark blue adjectives – can she justly blame the idiot in front of her for her own outburst?

3.    While waiting in the Wal-Mart checkout line, Fred takes a second glance at the buxom babe’s picture on the cover of a tabloid magazine.  Who should be blamed for this casual, yet sinful, momentary lust?  The scantily clad girl certainly has violated some principles – but can he blame her, the magazine company or Wal-Mart?

4.    People chatter loudly about Hilda’s friend Gerry’s special recipe (and say nothing of Hilda’s tasty dish) at the church supper.   Who’s liable for Hilda’s jealousy?  Is it Gerry?  Is the people who recognized one person’s success while overlooking another’s?

5.    When I covet my neighbor’s Corvette as he coolly rumbles past my house… whose fault is it that I am covetous?  Is it my vain, rich neighbor’s fault?  He surely doesn’t deserve to have such a car?  Or, is the fault all mine?

 

James placed the blame in the same place that Christ did.  James 1:13-16 says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted of God:’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.   Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.  Do not err, my beloved brethren.”

Let’s pretend that I understand science for a few moments.  Let’s talk about litmus paper and the pH of certain liquids.

According to one source that I read, litmus paper is made using a substance called litmus (duh!).  The scientific article read something like this: Litmus is a water-soluble mixture comprised of different dyes extracted from lichens.  It is often absorbed onto filter paper.  The resulting piece of paper or solution with water becomes a pH indicator, used to test materials for acidity (at certain temperatures and certain Ph levels).

As I understand it (I got this backwards Sunday):

1.    Blue litmus paper turns red under acidic conditions (in substances like Dr. Pepper or vinegar).

2.    Red litmus paper turns blue under basic (i.e. alkaline) conditions (a solution that includes stuff like baking soda or soap).

3.    Neutral litmus paper is purple and the “expert” didn’t explain how it works in neutral liquids, like water.

4.    Yellow litmus paper also exists, but again, no details were included about how it works either.

Let me ask you: Is it the litmus paper’s “fault” that Dr. Pepper is acidic?  Can a strip of red litmus paper be “blamed” for the basic qualities of a cup of water and a tablespoon of “Arm and Hammer”?  Would a knowledgeable chemist think that a strip of purple litmus paper was the “cause” of the neutral properties of a glass of pure H₂0?  No. No and No.

Yet – when temptations, trials or tests enter our lives, we sometimes get bitter against God, Satan or others because they “made” us fail.  A belligerent wife may say to her dying husband, “Well, if you hadn’t said I was being lazy, I wouldn’t have hit you in the head with a frying pan.”  She may honestly be upset with him because he “pushed” her so far that she “couldn’t help” it…  but, the truth is – in EVERY circumstance there is a right reaction; a godly reaction; a holy reply.  No matter what happens to us – good, or bad – we alone are responsible for how we think, speak or act in response to it.  The pot wielding woman may have a beast for a husband, but her big problem is her own sin nature.  People can’t “force” me, or you, to sin.  Sin is always a product of our own depraved nature.  Sure, there are circumstances and influences that make transgressions more accessible, but the problem still stems from the inside – not from the outside.  Sure, we are to always be careful not to make provisions for our fleshly desires, for surely opportunities are generally followed by failures… but why?  Not because of the nature of the “litmus paper” opportunities, but because of the nature of that mysterious godless solution that makes up the natural, fallen soul of every human.

 When a temptation to commit some vile sin against God arises; when a temptation to omit some wholesome virtuous requirement befalls us – these alluring possibilities are nothing more or less than litmus tests… present for the purpose of revealing that which is already in us.

When a trial of physical, financial or emotional difficulties is plopped into our lives – in it, we can do right, or, we can do wrong.  These trials can’t be blamed for our actions.  These difficulties are nothing more than litmus paper… ever so clearly revealing to us, to God and to others that substance of which we are really made.  In these trials, our character… or better yet, the measure of the control of the Holy Spirit over character is manifested. 

Even when tests of positive conditions cross our paths; when we succeed, when we prosper, when we are victorious, when we are winners; when we receive some comfort, some recognition or some blessing from above… even then, it is an evaluation of who we are… it is a revealing indicator of the state of our faith, or, less kindly, the state of our flesh.  Truly, otherwise unknown poor judgment and bad character can be grossly uncovered when a person becomes rich, famous or powerful.

Have you ever thought about the fact that God is more aware of the variety, dominance and intensity of every possible kind of evil than any one of could ever possibly conceive or consider?  I hear of pedophilia, masochism and sodomy on the news and the very knowledge of these unusual and disgusting evils pollutes my mind and creates a sense of uncleanness that makes my skin crawl.  Why? 

Let me answer that question by asking a very different one.  Does God feel violated and contaminated by His more thorough knowledge of the same heinous devilolutions?  I submit to you that God’s holiness and purity is absolutely unaffected.  He can have a constant awareness of the most wicked of all behaviors and yet remain unblemished in his infinite righteousness.   He is unaffected because of who and what He is.  He is absolutely holy – therefore, no matter what He “encounters,” He breaks forth with a perfect and just response.  Titus 1:15 explains, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”  Since God is infinitely pure – everything that happens (good or bad, clean or dirty, wonderful or terrible, obedience to Him or disobedience to Him) is a litmus test, revealing how beautifully perfect He is.

It ought to be this way with God’s children too.  We have the very nature of God imputed and implanted into us as believers.  We have the power of the Holy Spirit to respond righteously to every litmus test, temptation or trial that comes our way.  Our problem is not our circumstances, our culture or our church – our problem is in the mirror.  My problem is me, only me – exclusively me…  This may seem depressing, but wait – if I’m the root of the problem, then, AHA… perhaps I am the only one that I need to see changed.  And, this is indeed the case.  I can’t change anybody but myself (through the power of God, of course).  But, the great thing about that is that I can actually CHANGE!  Through yielding and submitting to the Holy Spirit, I can become the type of Christian that reacts holily in any circumstance.  I do not have to stay down.  There is no reason why I should blindly react in accordance with my natural, fleshly tendencies.  I am inhabited by the Almighty God of this universe.  He is greater than any temptation, trial or test!   

In Genesis 8:21 God said, “…The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth…”  In Jeremiah, He said it this way: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (17:9).  He went on to say that only God really knows just how awful we can be.  Only God sees the depths to which any one of us can plunge, if we are left to our own devices.  Yes, our difficulties arise from the core of our own being, not from the environment that we enjoy or endure. 

Don’t blame the litmus paper for who and what you are.  You may have a carnal husband, rebellious child, abusive boss, dishonest neighbor or hard hearted parent who is being dipped into the beaker of your life – just remember, no matter how ungodly or problematic they may be, we are still responsible for our responses to them in every situation.  We will not have to give an account to God for the type of litmus paper that our “enemies” are, but we will certainly be required to answer to Him for what traits these people reveal in us. 

Go ahead… you can say, “Amen!”  I don’t like admitting this reality any more than you do – but it is true nonetheless…

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FOOTNOTE:  If you are versed in chemistry and are chuckling at how I (surely) royally murdered the science of acids and bases – please forgive me.