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Prayer and Devotion To God

Posted on July 12, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

Acts 10:1-4 (KJV) There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, {2} A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. {3} He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. {4} And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

God Does Not Make A Divided Church

When the Church was first formed it was a divided Church. It was not divided because God wanted it to be divided.

God did not want Israel to divided into North and South under Rehoboam’s reign. God does not want His Church divided today. It is SIN that divides.

On the Day of Pentecost Jews from all over the world came into Jerusalem to worship. The Bible tells us that on that Day that 120 Christians – men and women …

Acts 1:14 … all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

The believers with one accord (Greek ὁμοθυμαδόν homothymadón, {pronounced hom-oth-oo-mad-on’}) “with one mind, with one passion” were devotedly praying together for the glory of God. The Bible says in prayer and supplication . “Prayer” is προσευχή proseuchḗ, {pronounced pros-yoo-khay’} and is used for worshipful prayer. “Supplication” is δέησις déēsis, {pronounced deh’-ay-sis} means “To bring requests to God”.

The 120 disciples were focused on the glory of God and asking how they could bring His Kingdom to this earth.

As they were missing an Apostle, Peter suggested that they replace Judas Iscariot with another. Two names – Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias (Acts 1:23) were suggested. How did they decided which one should be in Judas’ place?

Acts 1:24-26 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

I don’t think that either man was supposed to be Judas’ replacement. I believe that God would ordain Paul the Apostle to be His man. I believe Peter made a mistake, but the mistake was good hearted. We often fail. But no harm was done by the action, I believe, because they prayed – sought to worship God and glorify Him with their hearts. The 120 were not seeking their own, but the glory of God.

Being in one accord the Holy Spirit fell on the small Church in that upper room.

Acts 2:1-4 when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The other tongues was not gibberish nor incoherent sounds, but human languages given to share the Gospel of salvation to those Jews who were in Jerusalem for Pentecost. The Bible tells us that:

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Israel had been dispersed throughout all the world because of SIN and Roman dominance. God’s people had wandered away from the Lord and His Word. Again, SIN divides. Sin robs.

God’s Israel had ceased being the Light of the World and thus had become – as Jesus said in Matthew 5:13 … good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Israel was indeed “trodden underfoot of men”. The Roman Empire conquered, then scattered the Jews throughout its provinces. The Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem for their holy Pentecost, and these Jews spoke various languages based on the area of the world they dwelt in. The Holy Spirit gave the 120 praying disciples the ability to speak to these pilgrim Jews in the language they had been forced to learn.

Everyone heard the Gospel of salvation by faith in Christ on the Day of Pentecost. Language was not a barrier. “Every man heard them speak in his own language”
(Acts 2:6).
God would unite His Church.

Our Lord is not the Author of confusion, but of peace – AS IN ALL THE CHURCHES of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33). A praying Church left the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. A praying Church spoke many different languages but ONE MESSAGE – that Jesus Christ paid for sins, and faith in Him would bring redemption. On the Day of Pentecost people of many different languages asked: Acts 2:37 … Men and brethren, what shall we do?

They were told: Acts 2:38-39 … Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The disciples knew that the Gospel was Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior. They knew that Christ gave Himself for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

God Hears Devoted Prayer

Pentecost started with Peter preaching the Gospel and …

Acts 2:41-42 … Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The Church was united at the beginning. The devoted praying of 120 in the upper room translated into Church growth. There were about three thousand souls that entered the Church that day – we are told – out of every nation under heaven. These people had various languages, but all had one thing in common. They were Jews. Jesus had told His Church to:

Matthew 28:19-20 … Go ye therefore, and teach all nations …

The early Church had the same problem we have today. We like to stay with the familiar. It was Christ’s intention to save the whole world:

1 John 4:14 … we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. (see also John 4:42)

Jesus died to save the whole world. Yet the Church was focused on saving just Jews – which was contrary to Christ’s commission. How does God resolve this problem? With devoted prayer. We return to where we started:

Acts 10:1-2 (KJV) There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, {2} A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

As Peter went about sharing the Gospel of salvation the Lord used him to heal a cripple named Aeneas (Acts 9:32-35) and raise a disciple named Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:36-43). These are wonderful miracles that God – not Peter but God – did in response to Peter’s prayers. Though these are wonderful miracles, the spiritual salvation of a sinner through the power of God’s Son and Spirit is much greater. Peter prayed that God would use him to do the miraculous. But God had already done a miraculous thing. God had already reached a Gentile Centurion named Cornelius.

The salvation of Cornelius was turning point in the early Church. There are three lengthy references to Cornelius in Acts 10, 11, and 15. What makes this so significant? Gentiles did not observe the Jewish dietary restrictions set forth in Leviticus chapter 11. The Jewish nation had been taught that to eat an unclean thing was to become unclean yourself. The Pharisees took this a step further by teaching that Gentiles who did not observe the dietary laws were themselves unclean, and should not be touched nor associated with. Our Lord Jesus never taught such a thing. Last Sunday we studied how Jesus approached the woman at the well of Samaria – considered unclean by the Pharisees (see John 4:4-42). Jesus took water from this woman, showing that He came for ALL. The woman said to Jesus:

John 4:9 … How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans – nor, for that matter, with any Gentiles. God never intended this division to be. Even the Temple had an outermost “Court of the Gentiles”, this in itself showing that God never forbade the Jews from interacting with the Gentiles. God reached out to Cornelius – a Gentile of the Roman Army. The Bible tells us that Cornelius was a devout man, the Greek εὐσεβής eusebḗs, (pronounced yoo-seb-ace’) which means “a Godly or devoted person”. The Bible goes on to tell us that Cornelius feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. Someone had told Cornelius about Jesus. Our Lord Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father BUT BY ME!” Cornelius loved God. He had given his heart to Jesus, and God heard his prayers. While Cornelius devoted himself to prayer one day we are told:

Acts 10:3-6 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

What impresses God? Our prayers and our giving to those in need. Prayers are proof that we are in the Family of God, for the one who prays always prays to Our Father Who art in Heaven. The generous Christ follower no longer worships at the altar of mammon (money) but sees all that he or she has as a gracious stewardship from the Father. Cornelius is saved by grace, but the vessel saved by Grace is always used of God. Cornelius prayed. He prayed always – without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer was a habit for Cornelius, a habit that the Lord would respond to to bless His Church. As Cornelius prayed God sent a messenger Angel to him saying send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon. God gave specific instructions to Cornelius – better than any GPS could give!

When the Angel departed Cornelius immediately acted, doing as he was told.

Acts 10:7 … {Cornelius} called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually …

Cornelius was a devout man, so who did he choose to go to Joppa for him? Another devout man – the same word {eusebḗs} is used here. As a believer Cornelius leads others to God. He sends these men to Joppa to find Peter.

Acts 10:9-15 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Peter had a habit of devoted prayer. L. Howard Marshall notes in his commentary on Acts: “Most Jews prayed twice a day, but pious Jews also prayed at noon (“the sixth hour”), a third time of prayer (Psalms 55:17; Daniel 6:10).”

As Peter prayed the Lord showed him a vision of all manner of beasts, clean and unclean. As he was shown this the Lord told Peter arise and eat. Peter replied Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. The Lord told him, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. Peter should have known this. Peter was there the day that Jesus taught:

Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

The Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world was now among mankind. Jesus was very clear that food does not defile a person, but impurity and godlessness FROM the heart defiles a person (see Matthew 15:16-20). The Lord said from Heaven What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. Listen to Jesus!

At the end of the vision Cornelius’ men come knocking on the door. God tells Peter …

Acts 10:19-20 … the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

When you pray with a devoted heart God hears your prayers, and uses you for His glory and His Kingdom. E.M. Bounds wrote:

“Devotion engages the heart in prayer. It is not an easy task for the lips to try to pray while the heart is absent from it. … The very essence of prayer is the spirit of devotion. Without devotion prayer is an empty form, a vain round of words. Sad to say, much of this kind of prayer prevails, today, in the Church.”

When Peter prayed the Holy Spirit spoke to him. When Cornelius prayed an Angel of God spoke to him. Prayer – devoted prayer – opens the gate of Heaven, and moves the heart of God.

I priced jewelry boxes one time, checking their price from various sources. This box is worth about .86 cents without the ring – but worth over several thousand dollars with the ring. Your prayer has value to God when it has content – a heart devoted to Him, loving Him. If your prayer, no matter how pretty, is devoid of devotion – it has as little value as an empty ring box has to us!

Peter goes with the messengers back to Cornelius’ home. As these two prayer warriors begin to talk – one Jew and one Gentile – Peter as leader of the early Church began to preach. He said:

Acts 10:35-47 … Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

God will bless us and bind us together, growing His Church, if we will pursue devoted prayer. May the Lord touch your hearts with His Word.

Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving: Pray-Be-See Week 4

Posted on July 12, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Psalm 116:1-7 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.

Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving Go Together

E. M. Bounds – a great prayer warrior – wrote: “Prayer, praise and thanksgiving all go in company. A close relationship exists between them. Praise and thanksgiving are so near alike that it is not easy to distinguish between them or define them separately. The Scriptures join these three things together. Many are the causes for thanksgiving and praise. The Psalms are filled with many songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving, all pointing back to the results of prayer. Thanksgiving includes gratitude. In fact thanksgiving is but the expression of an inward conscious gratitude to God for mercies received. Gratitude is an inward emotion of the soul, involuntarily arising therein, while thanksgiving is the voluntary expression of gratitude.”

The worst advice anyone can ever give is to say…
Follow Your Heart!

The unbelieving world follows it’s heart. It was the heart that led to the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus! To follow the heart is to be sensual, devilish. The Scripture tells us in Jeremiah ..

(17:9-10) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

The heart in its natural state is brutish, sensual, sinful. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us this. The Pharisees were a religious but unconverted crowd. They adhered to the Levitical laws strictly. One day they saw Jesus and His disciples eating a meal without first washing their hands. The Pharisees accused Jesus and His followers as being unworthy of God. Jesus bluntly told the Pharisees in Matthew ..

(15:7-8) Ye hypocrites, well did {Isaiah} prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

The heart must not be FOLLOWED, but it must be LED and CONTROLLED. Jesus said that it is not the ceremonies that make us close to God, but a heart focus on Him. Many religious people today are like the Pharisees of yesterday – they draw near to God outwardly, with the lips, but their hearts are far from Him. God knows the difference. When a person says “I am saved” and yet indulge in outward evil then it is a sure sign that the heart is leading them, and not the Lord. Jesus said:

Matthew 15:18-20 … those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

What does God want of us? He wants us to direct our hearts toward Him, to focus on His Word, to be thanksgivers. We are to lead our hearts Godward, not be led by our hearts.

The test of the heart is what you do when you are tried.

Psalm 116:1-4 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell {the grave get their} hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord …

Where Is My “Then”?

What comes after the “THEN” in your life? When trials come and The sorrows of death compassed me and the gates of hell {the grave get their} hold upon me do you look upward in prayer and praise, thanking God for being there? Or do you despair, and lose hope? Beloved, to lose hope and trust in God is the worst thing that can happen to you. The Psalmist, even when afflicted – even when he found trouble and sorrow no matter where he looked – the Psalmist knew that God was there.

If there is gratitude in the heart there will be thanksgiving in the outward life and in the prayer closet. A heart focused on God and on His graciousness is a led heart. The Psalmist said …

Psalm 116:1 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

He did NOT say “I love the Lord BECAUSE my life is easy and my bank account full”. He said I love the Lord, because he hath HEARD. The word translated HEARD is the Hebrew שָׁמַע shâmaʻ, (pronounced shaw-mah’) which means “to hear intelligently, to hear and understand, to carefully listen to, to heed and pay attention to”. This verb is in the Qal Imperfect which emphasizes that God hears His Child and will always hear His Child – the action is never completed. God hears us when we cry out in our pain. He is there, and He is controlling all things so as to insure that the trial we are in will come to love’s conclusion. What has Jesus promised? In both Old as well as New Covenants our Lord promised:

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your {way of life} be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for {God} hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Our Lord paid so very much for us at the Cross of Calvary.
Our Lord paid so very much for us at the point of salvation.
Our Lord pays so much for us every single day we live.

What did God do for us at Calvary? The Father sent His only Begotten Son to Calvary to die for us. He did not die a gentle death, but a harsh death. The Scripture says that Jesus was …

Romans 3:25 … set forth to be a propitiation {satisfactory payment} through faith in His blood … for the remission of sins that are past …

Jesus live a perfect and sinless life. He then went to Calvary to pay the penalty of our sins – a penalty He paid in full. The Bible says …

Hebrews 2:17 … in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make RECONCILIATION for the sins of the people.

Jesus made RECONCILIATION {ἱλάσκομαι hiláskomai, pronounced hil-as’-kom-ahee} or paid our account in full. Jesus became our brother, our Big Brother, and took our sin on Himself. This is an action that made eternal scars on God. He died for us. We are therefore children of God by faith in Him. This hurt God. Further, we are yet imperfect beings, though born into the Family of God. Nonetheless the Holy Spirit indwells us, guides us, and stays with us no matter what we may do. What a glorious salvation we have, dear Christ follower! What a love was and is expended on us who are the children of the Most High!

1 John 4:10 … Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Leading your heart to this truth will cause you to praise God and thank Him even when you are tried. Look at the Cross of Calvary once more. Jesus ALONE paid for our sins, but Jesus was not alone on that mount. Do you see the three crosses? Jesus Christ died on that Cross for the sins of the whole world. The man dying on Christ’s left said – rejecting the Master –

Luke 23:39 … if Thou be the Christ, save Thyself and us!

The world if it sees Christ at all sees Him as an if. If Thou be the Christ. If you are indeed Jesus give me immediate and temporal relief. Take away my suffering. Heal me right now, if you are Who you say you are kiss it and make it better. This is what the lost and undone do with Christ. They bargain and wheedle, making deals with God.

A popular show on television several years ago was called Frasier. In one show the dad told his son: “I remember right after I got shot, I said, “God, if I promise never to drink another bottle of {beer}, will you let me get through this?” His son said “You still drink {beer}” to which the dad replied , “Not in bottles, baby”. This is a perfect picture of the world. It remains on the left hand of God, knowing He bled and died, but making foolish deals with God for temporal relief from the suffering we all go through.

Then there’s the man on the right side of Christ. He’s just as close, suffering just as badly. But as he reaches out in prayer he says:

Luke 23:42 … Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.

His heart cry is not that the suffering cease, but that there be a glorious morning after where the pain has ended. He asks for the companionship of Christ – a morsel of grace. He asks Jesus, Lord, remember me – not heal me, not take away the pain, but remember me. To that person – that Christ follower – Jesus promises:

Luke 23:43 Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

This was what satisfied the suffering soul, that God has promised to never leave nor to forsake us. He has promised us a paradise on the other side of this mountain. Thank God for that. Thank the blessed Jesus for this!

It Is In Focused Prayer That We Learn Thanksgiving

E.M. Bounds writes : “Thanksgiving is just what the word itself signifies—the giving of thanks to God. It is giving something to God in words which we feel at heart for blessings received. Gratitude arises from a contemplation of the goodness of God. It is bred by serious meditation on what God has done for us.”

Oh Christian, is it not true that …

Psalm 126:3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

As we enter the prayer closet let us meditate upon the Lord. “My meditation of him shall be sweet.” (Psalm 104:34). Take hold of your heart and your flesh. Do not let selfishness reign, but let the Spirit reign within you. Thank God that He is there and is never far away. A far away god could not hear you. God is ever near. The Psalmist said:

Psalm 116:1-2 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

God hears us, and knows our needs. The Apostle Paul gave us a command that is very revealing if we were to focus on it. He wrote:

Romans 12:1 I 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.

What is a sacrifice? Both Gentiles as well as Jews understood what sacrifices were in the day that this was written. The Gentiles who were unsaved offered sacrifices to a pantheon of gods and goddesses. A sacrifice was an animal killed on an altar, it’s blood shed, in order to appease the gods. In Judaism the Lord had the Jew sacrifice an animal. The sacrificed animal was killed, it’s blood sprinkled on the sinner, and often the sacrifice itself was burned to symbolize the wrath of God being poured out on the substitute instead of the sinner. The Apostle does not tell us to sacrifice ourselves in that way, but to be a living sacrifice. Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins so that we can live our lives for Him. We are not to follow our hearts but to follow Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us. As a living sacrifice we serve the Lord with gladness and thankful hearts even in the midst of our suffering. We do not murmur or complain, but look upward, trusting our Lord to do what is best for us.

E.M. Bounds wrote: “Gratitude and thanksgiving forever stand opposed to all murmurings at God’s dealings with us, and all complainings at our lot. Gratitude and murmuring never abide in the same heart at the same time. An unappreciative spirit has no standing beside gratitude and praise. And true prayer corrects complaining and promotes gratitude and thanksgiving. Dissatisfaction at one’s lot, and a disposition to be discontented with things which come to us in the providence of God, are foes to gratitude and enemies to thanksgiving.”

We come together as God’s people to encourage one another in thankfulness. The Apostle tells we who are of Christ’s Church:

Ephesians 5:17-21 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

The will of the Lord is that we be filled not with ourselves, but fully empowered by God’s Spirit. When we come together we encourage one another toward His filling by outwardly speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing praises and thankfully to our Lord. We do not just mouth the words in the hymnbook, but we praise Him for what He has given us of Himself – an infinite and immeasurable grace! We also practice giving thanks always for all things. What does this mean? Exactly what it says. We praise God for the good as well as the bad. We take the attitude of Job, that grand old example of faith, who said:

Job 2:10 … shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

God is Almighty. He brings or allows all that happens in our lives for our good. He did the most for us at the Cross. Shall He do the lesser for us now?

Whether tried or at ease, let us be thankful unto God. “Continue to pray, and as you pray, pray with a thankful heart” (Colossians 4:2, my paraphrase). No matter what life may bring …

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (KJV) Rejoice evermore. {17} Pray without ceasing. {18} In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. {19} Quench not the Spirit.”

To do less is to Quench the Spirit of God. He will never leave you nor forsake you, but the ungrateful heart and selfish murmuring spirit will rob you of the joy of your salvation. Rejoice regardless. Pray regardless. Be thankful regardless. Encourage one another to rest in the Lord.

Psalm 116:5-7 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee

People may call you “simpleminded”. Just remember, The Lord preserveth the simple. The Lord looks after those who simply and faithfully follow Him, glorifying the Father in the Name of the Son and in the power of the Spirit.

Rest in the Lord. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. May God touch your hearts with his Word!

Posted in praise, prayer, Praying Like Jesus Series, Sermons Preached | Tagged praising God, prayer, prayer series, Prayer_Be_See | Leave a comment

Pray-Be-See Week 2: Prayer And Humility

Posted on July 8, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

Romans 12:9-18 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash

I love Oreo^®cookies. I love to eat them with milk. I’m not allowed to eat them anymore – the worst part of being diabetic – but nothing stops me from thinking about them. I don’t know what a serving size of Oreo^®cookies is, but to me a serving size is one sleeve! The thing I love is the chocolate cookie, but that white center is what makes each Oreo^®a double chocolate blessing. Without the white center the two cookies can’t hold together. If you look at our text today the center of the text is PRAYER – being prayerful or filled with prayer. If a Church is going to accomplish that which God commands of it, then that Church must be filled with SERIOUS PRAYING PEOPLE.

How often do you pray? A poll conducted by George Barna showed that many people, if they pray, pray less that seven minutes a week.

If you only spoke to your significant other seven minutes a week then how long would you be a couple? The word “prayer” or “pray” is over 500 times used in God’s Word. Other words that are used to describe “prayer” are:

Petitions
Intercession
Call upon
Seek
Intercede

The Bible begins with creation speaking with God, and ends with the Creator speaking to His children. That is what prayer is – communication with God.

When We Pray We Are To Do So Humbly

Pastor John Newton (August 4, 1725 to December 21, 1807) was at one time the Captain of slave ships. While in that horrid profession he met the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved by Grace. After resigning from the slave trade he went on to pastor an English Anglican Church. His most famous song is the wonderful Amazing Grace, ofttimes sung by Christians the world around. Newton wrote:

“If two angels were to receive at the same moment a commission from God, one to go down and rule earth’s grandest empire, the other to go and sweep the streets of its meanest village, it would be a matter of entire indifference to each which service fell to his lot, the post of ruler or the post of scavenger; for the joy of the angels lies only in obedience to God’s will, and with equal joy they would lift a Lazarus in his rags to Abraham’s bosom, or be a chariot of fire to carry an Elijah home.”

God cannot use the human who thinks he or she is “God”. When we pray, God looks at our hearts. God told the Prophet:

1 Samuel 16:7 … the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

God always looks at our hearts. When He looks at your heart what does He see when you pray? Does He see a heart that adores Him, or heart that just uses Him? The prideful prayer is the prayer that God will not hear. Our text tells us:

Let love be without dissimulation

“Dissimulation” is the Greek ἀνυπόκριτος anypókritos, (pronounced an-oo-pok’-ree-tos) which means “Without disguise. Without hypocrisy.” The Pharisees were fond of using religious methods in order to puff up their ego. Jesus said of these hypocrites:

Matthew 6:5 … when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

God knows what is in your heart when you pray. All pride should be confessed before God before entering the prayer closet. You need to humble yourself, and let God sense that humility. Pride causes disharmony between the Child of God and his Father.

Leonard Bernstein, the late conductor of the New York Philharmonic orchestra was asked what was the most difficult instrument to play. Without hesitation he replied, “The second fiddle! I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm—that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”

When we as God’s Children pray we are to despise the evil, but cling to the good. Many who pray begin their prayers with “Lord, I want”. Such people are like the out of control child in the toy aisle at Walt-Mart. “I want, I want, I want”. God does not honor such prayers, for they do neither us nor anyone else any good. Our text says:

vvs 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honor PREFERRING one another;

The word “Preferring” is the Greek προηγέομαι proēgéomai, (pronounced pro-ay-geh’-om-ahee) which means “to go before and show the way. To lead others forward, as a point man leads a platoon or squad through dangerous territory”. We are not to put ourselves first in order to puff ourselves up. No Beloved, but we are to do as the point man does, risking life and limb in order to lead others on a safe journey. Our prayers should lead others to humble service to Christ. Our prayers should lead others to kindness, to love. We are told in another text:

Ephesians 4:2-3 (KJV) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; {3} Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We are to lift one another up in prayer and in service. These are the prayers that God hears and endorses as from His heart.

E.M. Bounds wrote: “Humility does not have its eyes on self, but rather on God and others. It is poor in spirit, meek in behavior, lowly in heart. “With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.”

When Jesus wanted to show a poor example of a praying person, who did He use? You would think Jesus would use the drunkard, the drug abuser, the thief, the adulterer. No, not at all. Who was a poor example of prayer? The Pharisee!

Luke 18:10-14 (KJV) “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. {11} The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. {12} I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. {13} And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. {14} I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

I love the way that the King James relates this parable. The Pharisee prayed thus WITH HIMSELF. It is as if the man was praying but our Father was no where to be found. God will not hear the prideful, self exalting prayer of the self righteous. The Pharisee who assumed God was there was sadly mistaken. But the Publican, the Lord said, “would not even look up to Heaven”. His prayer was very simple: God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. God hears the prayer spoken humbly. God said in Isaiah 57:15 “I am with him who is humble, lowly in spirit” (my paraphrase). Twice in the Scripture two writers say the same thing

James 4:6 (KJV) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1 Peter 5:5 (KJV) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble.

E.M. Bounds writes: “That which brings the praying soul near to God is humility of heart. That which gives wings to prayer is lowliness of mind. That which gives ready access to the throne of grace is self-depreciation. Pride, self-esteem, and self-praise effectually shut the door of prayer. He who would come to God must approach Him with self hid from his eyes. He must not be puffed-up with self-conceit, nor be possessed with an over-estimate of his virtues and good works.”

Our Lord Jesus lowered Himself in this life, and because He did so the Father always heard His prayers. When Jesus stood at the tomb of His good friend Lazarus He prayed:

John 11:41-43 “… Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

When Jesus cried out “Lazarus, come forth!” it was not out of pride or arrogance that He prayed. In the scheme of the Trinity Jesus is to follow the Father’s lead. This He did with no diminishing of His glory. God is God because God knows His Being, His Function, His Position. Our Lord humbled Himself even unto the death of the Cross (Philippians 2:8). The Father always heard the Son because the Son willingly and naturally humbled Himself.

It is the Old Sin Nature in our beings that makes us want to lift ourselves up, to buck against God, to make ourselves “gods”. The seed of this evil tree was planted in our hearts in the Garden of Eden by the serpent:

Genesis 3:5 … God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil …

As humans we have chased this illusion of “being gods” as a dog chases a car – hoping to catch it but not having a clue as to what to do IF we catch it. Jesus Who is ever eternal God in human form did not find it necessary to seek to be God (Philippians 2:6-7). He settled into His humanity as God intends man to settle. Jesus is the Second Adam Who takes us back to the Garden.

The Prayer Warrior Is The Surrendered Warrior

Romans 12:11-12 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing INSTANT in prayer;

The word translated “Instant” is the Greek προσκαρτερέω proskarteréō, (pronounced pros-kar-ter-eh’-o) which means “to be devoted to, earnest in, diligent to do, to adhere closely to”. In our society the word “instant” is used for cheap imitations that assemble quickly. “Instant grits” or “Instant oatmeal” do not require cooking. Just add hot water, then gag it down. This is not what this word means. It means that our prayers should be deliberate, attended to, focused on.

If we want our business to succeed, we do it for God.
We serve the Lord.
If we want to endure trials, we patiently pray.
No matter what life brings we rejoice.
Why? Because God is there, and is not silent.
God is with me. How do I know? I pray!

Even when I fail I do not despair because of prayer. The Apostle said “I am the chiefest of sinners – but Christ died for me” (1 Timothy 1:15). As someone once wrote:

“Let the world their virtue boast,
Their works of righteousness;
I, a wretch undone and lost,
Am freely saved by grace;
Other tide I disclaim,
This, only this, is all my plea,
I the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me.”

On Judgment Day Jesus warns us all: Many shall say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [Matthew 7:22-23]

What keeps us all from falling into the pit of pride that others have tripped into? Is it not prayer? Humble prayer?

Job (42:6) said: “I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

When the Jews heard that they were going to be destroyed by the king how did they respond? In Esther 4:3 we read:

“There was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes”

When Daniel – that Great Prophet – went to the Lord in prayer, how did he pray?

Daniel 9:3 … I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

This prayer brought Gabriel from Heaven to speak to Daniel face to face. God honors humble prayer. The Lord honored Abraham praying:

Genesis 18:27 (KJV) … Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes …

God honored Solomon’s prayer. What did that grand old Saint pray for? He prayed that God would enable him to do what God wanted him to do. He prayed:

1 Kings 3:5, 7-9 (KJV) In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. .. {7} And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. {8} And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. {9} Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

Let our prayers be filled with our decrease and God’s increase. As John the Baptist declared, “Christ must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:27-30).

“O that now I might decrease!
O that all I am might cease!
Let me into nothing fall!
Let my Lord be all in all.”

Only in letting Christ be all and in all can we be blessed. “Be not wise in your own conceits”.

Scientist George Washington Carver was first and foremost a Christ follower. He developed hundreds of useful products from the lowly peanut. When he was a young man he went to God in prayer and asked the Almighty to “tell me the mystery of the universe”. God answered, “This knowledge is reserved for me alone”. So George prayed, “God, tell me the mystery of the peanut”. I was told that the Lord answered, “Well, George, that’s more nearly your size.” And God told him. Let us seek the face of God in prayer! May God touch your hearts with His Word!

Posted in prayer, Praying Like Jesus Series, Sermons Preached | Tagged prayer series, Prayer_Be_See | Leave a comment

Prayer – Be – See Part 2: A Study For Our Church Growth

Posted on July 8, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Romans 12:9-18 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

How often do you pray? A poll conducted by George Barna showed that many people, if they pray, pray less that seven minutes a week. If you only spoke to your significant other seven minutes a week then how long would you be a couple? Just the word “prayer” or “pray” is over 500 times used in God’s Word. Other words that are used to describe “prayer” are:

Petitions
Intercession
Call upon
Seek
Intercede

The Bible begins with creation speaking with God, and ends with the Creator speaking to His children. That is what prayer is – communication with God.

When We Pray We Are To Do So Humbly

God cannot use the human who thinks he or she is “God”. When we pray, God looks at our hearts. God told the Prophet:

1 Samuel 16:7 … the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Let love be without dissimulation

When we as God’s Children pray we are to despise the evil, but cling to the good. Many who pray begin their prayers with “Lord, I want”. Such people are like the out of control child in the toy aisle at Wal-Mart. “I want, I want, I want”. God does not honor such prayers, for they do neither us nor anyone else any good. Our text says:

vvs 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;

Ephesians 4:2-3 (KJV) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; {3} Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We are to lift one another up in prayer and in service. These are the prayers that God hears and endorses as from His heart.

E.M. Bounds wrote:

“Humility does not have its eyes on self, but rather on God and others. It is poor in spirit, meek in behavior, lowly in heart. “With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.”

When Jesus wanted to show a poor example of a praying person, who did He use? You would think Jesus would use the drunkard, the drug abuser, the thief, the adulterer. No, not at all. Who was a poor example of prayer?

The Pharisee!

James 4:6 (KJV) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

E.M. Bounds writes:

“That which brings the praying soul near to God is humility of heart. That which gives wings to prayer is lowliness of mind. That which gives ready access to the throne of grace is self-depreciation. Pride, self-esteem, and self-praise effectually shut the door of prayer. He who would come to God must approach Him with self hid from his eyes. He must not be puffed-up with self-conceit, nor be possessed with an over-estimate of his virtues and good works.”

Our Lord Jesus lowered Himself in this life, and because He did so the Father always heard His prayers. When Jesus stood at the tomb of His good friend Lazarus He prayed:

When Jesus cried out “Lazarus, come forth!” it was not out of pride or arrogance that He prayed. The Father always heard the Son because the Son always humbled Himself in the Father’s Presence. Though Father and Son are co-equal and co-eternal – for has not the Father said (in Hebrews 1:8):

“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever”

The Son is of reality and being eternal God. Yet in the scheme of the Trinity He is to follow the Father’s lead. This He did with no diminishing of His glory. God is God because God knows His Being, His Function, His Position. Our Lord humbled Himself even unto the death of the Cross (Philippians 2:8). The Father always heard the Son because the Son willingly and naturally humbled Himself.

It is the Old Sin Nature in our beings that makes us want to lift ourselves up, to buck against God, to make ourselves “gods”. The seed of this evil tree was planted in our hearts in the Garden of Eden by the serpent:

Genesis 3:5 … God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil …

The Prayer Warrior Is The Surrendered Warrior

Romans 12:11-12 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Even when I fail I do not despair because of prayer. The Apostle said “I am the chiefest of sinners – but Christ died for me” (1 Timothy 1:15). As someone once wrote:

The “Me Too” Movement brought many famous and well funded men to their knees. Comedian Bill Cosby is now serving a life sentence for evils that he did while on the summit of popularity. Bill Hybels, the founder and leader of Willow Creek Church, left his pulpit in shame for abuse of power. It is amazing how many famous men are falling under the glare of judgment because of evils they did while hiding behind a wall of apparent righteousness. There are many who do this and get away with it. But Judgment is coming. Our Christ shall prevail. On Judgment Day Jesus warns us all:

Many shall say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [Matthew 7:22-23]

What keeps us all from falling into the same pit of pride that these great men tripped into? Is it not prayer? Humble prayer? The Old Testament saint prayed in dust and ashes. Did not Job (42:6) say:

“I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

When the Jews heard that they were going to be destroyed by the king how did they respond? In Esther 4:3 we read:

“There was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes”

When Daniel – that Great Prophet – went to the Lord in prayer, how did he pray?

Daniel 9:3 … I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

It was this prayer (I hope you will read it. I have not time to cover it now, but it is excellent!) that brought Gabriel from Heaven to speak to him face to face. God honors humble prayer. The Lord honored Abraham praying:

Genesis 18:27 (KJV) … Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes …

God honored Solomon’s prayer. What did that grand old Saint pray for? He prayed that God would enable him to do what God wanted him to do. He prayed:

E.M. Bounds writes:

“The pride of doing sends its poison all through our praying. The same pride of being infects all our prayers, no matter how well-worded they may be. It was this lack of humility, this self-applauding, this self-exaltation, which kept the most religious man of Christ’s day from being accepted of God. And the same thing will keep us in this day from being accepted of Him.”

Let our prayers be filled with our decrease and His increase. As John the Baptist declared, “Christ must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:27-30).

“O that now I might decrease!
O that all I am might cease!
Let me into nothing fall!
Let my Lord be all in all.”

Only in letting Christ be all and in all can we be blessed. “Be not wise in your own conceits”.

Posted in prayer, Praying Like Jesus Series, Sermons Preached | Tagged prayer series | Leave a comment

How Big Is Your God?

Posted on July 7, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Jessy Paston on Unsplash

Joshua 11:4-6, 23 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. 5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. 6 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. … 23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

How big is your God?

The God of the Scripture is bigger than anything or anyone in this universe. I need to continually remind myself of this. And you do, too. I often find myself wanting to despair, to back off, to quit. Then the Lord reminds me. I am to do my part and trust Him. He tells me:

Galatians 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Oh Beloved, you must DO. You must SOW.
You must SOW the right SEED.

What you sow – the seed you plant – shall eventually bring forth a harvest. If you sow evil, you will harvest evil. If you sow good, you will reap good. Many years may pass before you see the harvest. But you should continue faithfully doing good. As we are told, let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

In Joshua Chapter 11 we see the last battle fought for the Promised Land. The Book of Joshua can be divided into two parts. The first part – chapters 1-12 – cover the first 7 years of Joshua’s military campaign to take Canaan. The first 10 chapters of the Book cover a period of less than one year. Israel quickly took the land and Joshua suffered only one defeat – the first battle at Ai – because of the sin of Achan’s family. After God’s people came together in one accord and in one purpose …

God’s People Are Called To CONTINUED
Unity Of Purpose And Service

Did you know God calls us to BE IN ONE ACCORD?
In ONE ACCORD with Him, and in ONE ACCORD with one another?

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be NO DIVISIONS among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

As a retired Airman I can assure you it is impossible to defeat the enemy if you are not in one accord both vertically (Godward) as well as horizontally (manward).

America lost in Vietnam because the military was in disharmony with it’s leadership. God’s people MUST be in harmony with GOD and with ONE ANOTHER.

God calls US to serve Him.
Let US not be weary in well doing.
For in due season WE shall reap.

The only blot on Joshua’s impeccable record of victory was at Ai, and that was not his fault, but the fault of Achan and his family. Oh, how many times has ONE FAMILY destroyed a Church? I know of churches right now – some that I tried my best to pastor – who never understood the principle of unity. Some of these churches cannot find a pastor, and won’t be able to find a pastor until they come into one accord. Others have shut their doors. Oh, how disharmony destroys a people! One of the tiniest hymns in the Hebrew hymnbook – only three verses long – says:

Psalm 133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Unity with God and unity with one another – it is here that the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore . Most people miss the point of heaven. Heaven is a place where there is no sickness, sadness, or pain. Heaven is a place where death is banished, and life is good and eternal. Why is that? Because:

Revelation 22:3 … there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him

Jesus shall dwell with His people, and we shall be His people, and God Himself will be with us, and be our God (Revelation 21:3). The Lord shall wipe away all tears from our eyes, and there shall be no more pain (Revelation 21:4). Why? Because we as God’s people will be in ONE ACCORD in God’s ultimate Promised Land. Oh Beloved, that day is coming. That blessed day is coming. But it is not yet.

As we come to Chapters 11 & 12 of this blessed Book we might think that these chapters are but as short a time as Chapters 1 through 10 were. Remember I told you the first 10 chapters of the Book cover a period of less than one year. These last two chapters however cover around 6 years of battle. We are told:

Joshua 11:18 … Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

Joshua did not see a win come quickly. Now God promised Joshua a win.

Joshua, your job is YOUR job.
My job is My job, saith the Lord!

Joshua 1:3-7 … Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

When God made His promise to Joshua the Lord said “as I promised Moses, so I promise you”.Question

If God made the same promise to MOSES,
Why is JOSHUA and not MOSES going into Canaan?

God told Joshua “as I was with MOSES, so I will be with YOU. I WILL NOT fail thee or forsake thee”. So why in the world is JOSHUA now leading Israel into this final battle and not Moses? Very simply:

Moses failed to stay in harmony with God.
Moses parted from God’s Word.
The Leader or Church that departs from God’s Word
need not expect the blessings of God.

There is a little church not far from us, a church the Lord loves as much as He loves us. I’ve been at Riverview now going into my 7^th year. This little church not far from us has gone through three pastors since I’ve been here. Why? Beloved, when Joshua went into the Promised Land God repeatedly warned him to keep his eyes upward. God loved Moses. See it:

Joshua 1:13 … Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you …

Joshua 3:7 … as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

Joshua 4:10 … according to all that Moses commanded Joshua …

Joshua 8:31 … As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel ..

Joshua 9:24 … the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses …

Joshua 11:15 … As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua …

Joshua 12:6 … Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD …

This is just a few instances where we see Moses mentioned in the Book of Joshua. In many of the occurrences where Moses name is he is called “Moses, the servant of the Lord”. FIFTY EIGHT TIMES in the Book of Joshua the Lord mentions “Moses, the servant of the Lord”. I was reading something a fellow Christian and children’s book author Steve Hart wrote the other day that is so significant. He told his three year old son August to put his shoes away before going to bed. When checked later he found that his son had put his little shoes inside of his daddy’s shoes. This is such a graphic illustration as to what is going on in the Book of Joshua. For forty years Moses daily walked in God’s footsteps. Before he went to bed at night Moses took off his shoes and put them in God’s shoes. For forty years. Then one day Moses – Moses the servant of the Lord – forgot to put his feet in the footprints of God. Imagine if you would having a small child with you, and hearing the account of Moses – mentioned FIFTY EIGHT times in this Book. Now imagine that child saying,

Daddy – Momma – where is Moses?
Why isn’t Moses leading us now?
If God loves Moses
why is Joshua NOW leading us?

Beloved, it is because Moses stepped away from God. Moses put his shoes in the wrong place.

God promises to give victory, to bless His children, to give us the Promised Land. But this promise of blessing is conditional to our obedience. Though Moses failed God and lost the blessing he did not lose the eternal promise of salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. It is always a gift from God. But blessing is CONDITIONAL on obedience.

We sing: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
what a glory He spreads on our way!
When we do His good will, He abides with us still,
and with all who will TRUST and OBEY.
TRUST AND OBEY, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to TRUST AND OBEY.”

Oh Beloved, strive to finish well. Keep your feet in God’s footprints during the day. When you go to bed at night, take off your shoes and put them in your Heavenly Father’s shoes. Be not weary in well doing. Reject sin – confess it quickly – and stay in His Word!

God’s People Are Called To FOCUSED
Purpose And Service To God ALONE

Joshua 11:4-5 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. 5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

God’s people often lose the Presence of God when they – like Moses – depart from His Word. But another reason we lose the Presence of God is when we focus on the enemy and not on the Lord.

The darkness does not relent. In Joshua chapter 6 the walls of Jericho – a fortified city – fall when God’s people are focused upon the Lord. I preached this sermon a few weeks ago and will not preach it again. Then we came to Joshua chapter 10 when Joshua prayed for a long day, saying:

Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord… Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

God caused the sun not to set nor the moon to rise until Joshua defeated the enemy. After all this you would think that the enemy would just back off and leave the land. Yet this was not the case. The Bible says:

Joshua 11:1-3 … And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, 2 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, 3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

Hazor was the leading city in northern Canaan, and Jabin was it’s king. The name “Jabin” (Hebrew יָבִין Yâbîyn, {pronounced yaw-bene}) is not a name but a title. The “Jabin” was like the “Governor” or “Pharaoh”. He was the exalted ruler of this huge city. Hazor had around 40,000 people – and most of the walled cities of Northern Canaan had populations of 200 people per acre of land. Israel came into the Promised Land and within a year destroyed all the enemies that they came against. Jabin heard of this destruction. Rather than repent and vacate the premises he became the tip of the spear, calling the other walled cities into a united army against Israel! How big was this army? No one really knows, but the Bible tells us:

Joshua 11:4 … they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

If you have ever been to the seashore or the beach you know you cannot count the number of grains of sand on that shore. Dr. W.A. Criswell – a pastor whom I have long admired who is now with the Lord – said in his sermon “The Final Victory”:

“(The first century Romano-Jewish historian) Josephus says that that army had 300,000 foot soldiers, that they had 100,000 cavalry, and that they had 20,000 iron chariots. Josephus said that what terrified Israel was the iron chariots. They had never faced them before. And Josephus says that the prospect of warring against thousands of chariots terrified Israel. For the great historian says that when the chariots were driven by the warriors into the rank of the opposing soldiers and the men in the chariots had such wonderful opportunity to throw their javelins, and to shoot their arrows, and to cut down with their sword; he said the affect of the driving of chariots furiously into the ranks of an opposing army was devastating in the extreme. And I can think of that for myself. Just imagine you with a sword in your hand, or a spear, or a javelin, or a dart, or a bow and an arrow and there is driving toward you furiously great horses with iron chariots. And in the chariots, in the car several soldiers and they themselves at a height and at an advantage and driving on you furiously, throwing their spears, and javelins, and darts and letting go of their arrows. Well, it was a thing like that that Israel faced; a tremendous, a tremendous foe.”

If you are doing God’s work God’s way there will always be resistance – furious resistance – but trust God, focus on Him, and keep on going!

The opposition to Israel was as the sand that is upon the sea shore . Where have we heard this before? Did not God tell Abraham – that grand old father of faith on the day he offered up his son Isaac to the Lord:

Genesis 22:16-18 … because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son {Isaac}: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice.

Joshua and Israel were confronted with as the sand that is upon the sea shore – but didn’t God promise them in Abraham that they would be victorious? Didn’t God promise:

Joshua 11:6 … Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel …

Israel can focus on the enemy or Israel can focus on the promise of the God Who is always faithful to Himself. God cannot lie. Man can, but God cannot. God has promised to be with you, dear believer. Are your eyes on God or on the enemy? What else did Israel face? We read:

Joshua 11:21 … at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims …

Who were the Anakim? They were a nation of giants that the first generation of Israel were afraid of. Israel refused to enter the Promised Land because of these giants, saying:

Deuteronomy 1:28 … The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.

Because Israel heard a bad report by ten of the spies who entered the Promised Land, they refused to obey God. God caused all of Israel to wander for 40 years until that unbelieving generation died off. What was Joshua’s attitude against the Anakims?

The Anakims were just somebody
else that God will defeat.

Beloved, our God is faithful. God was faithful when the first generation of Israel stood at the Jordan and God is faithful now. God told Joshua (11:6) Be not afraid because of them . God tells us who are His:

2 Timothy 1:7 … God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Hebrews 13:6 … The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

How big is YOUR God? Do you trust in chariots and horses, or do your trust in God (Psalm 20:7)? Do you believe you are more than a conquerer through Him (Romans 8:37)?

Jesus Christ came from Heaven to earth to save you. He gave His life so that you can enter His family. He rose again so that you can live in victory. God is greater than the giants that face you. God is greater than the overwhelming odds against you. Look unto Him and trust Him. Have an OVERCOMING faith. Has not our Lord told us:

1 John 5:4 {whosoever} is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

In Christ we are overcomers. In Christ we are able. Apart from Him we can do nothing. But in Him we can do all things. Give yourself fully to God this day. If you do not know Him as Lord and Savior, call upon Jesus and trust Him. You will be saved. Whosoever. Whosoever. Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life! Praise Him. Praise Him.

May God lead you to victory and power for living in Him. Amen and Amen!

Posted in Joshua, Sermons Preached | Tagged discipleship, Glory To God, Joshua, obedience | Leave a comment

Prayer – Be – See Part 1: A Study For Our Church Prayer Growth

Posted on July 5, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by David Sarkisov on Unsplash

We live in a super-connected world. People connect to one another through electronic mobile devices. While home with our children on vacation we discovered that stores are now offering home delivery of goods. We are fast moving into a world where there is absolutely little to no human interaction. We were not created to be this way. God made us social creatures. We need to interact with one another.

We especially need to interact with our Creator. Interaction with the Creator cannot be done with mobile devices or social media. We interact with God personally, one on one, in prayer.

It is impossible to over emphasize the importance of daily, moment by moment, interactive prayer with God.
Prayer is how we enter the Christian way of life.

Though some may dispute this, I believe that without prayer there can be no Christian. I was amazed to visit a Baptist Church’s website the other day and see where its Pastor claimed prayer was unnecessary for salvation. This is a frequent error preached in this day of what John MacArthur calls “Easy Believism”. Salvation is indeed a free gift from God – but it is a gift that must be asked for. There is no merit in asking … but the Scripture makes this very clear. You must approach God in prayer to be saved. Let’s focus on a very familiar passage in Romans:

Romans 10:8-14 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

The Spoken Gospel Must Be Received By Prayer

Our text states “The word is nigh thee”. That which is translated “WORD” is the Greek ῥῆμα rhēma, (pronounced hray’-mah) which means “an utterance. That which is spoken by the mouth”. The Apostles preached with their mouths the “word of faith which we preach”. The Gospel message was spoken to all who would hear. It was not hidden, but uttered with the mouth so that it was plainly understood.

The GOSPEL MUST BE SPOKEN, it cannot be assumed.
The spoken Gospel MUST BE RECEIVED or there is no effect.

What ῥῆμα rhēma or uttered word did the Apostles speak? The Gospel spoken was “nigh thee” or near to every person. It was not given to a select few, but to all who would hear. The Apostles suffered great persecution for sharing the Gospel. Easy believism says to “just live a good life and encourage others to imitate the same, and we will all go to Heaven”. This is blasphemy. This is not the ῥῆμα rhēma or uttered word – “word of faith which we preach”.

The word “preach” is the Greek κηρύσσω kērýssō, (pronounced kay-roos’-so) which means “to publicly or loudly proclaim as a herald or public crier”. In the days before modern mobile technology news was spread was via public herald or the town crier. This is what κηρύσσω kērýssō references.

The message of the Gospel was not hidden,
but clearly and vocally presented.

People knew what the Gospel was. What is the Gospel? The Apostle is now clear. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus”. The word translated “confess” is the Greek ὁμολογέω homologéō, (pronounced hom-ol-og-eh’-o) which means “to say the same thing about”. God the Father and God the Spirit has declared that Jesus is Lord. When the Gospel is shared God enables the listener to say the same thing about Jesus that God Himself says. The Scripture says:

1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is Lord!

In the ancient Roman world you were expected to say Caesar is Lord, out loud and for all to hear. It was required of the citizen just as Heil Hitler was expected of the Nazi. To fail to acknowledge Caesar as Lord would be to be marked as a traitor to the Roman state. The Christian was the person who – at risk to life and limb – would refuse to acknowledge Caesar as Lord and who instead would declare Jesus is Lord. Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. The Gospel requires the outward confession – an agreement with both Father and Spirit – that Jesus is Lord.

The Gospel also requires an inward belief that goes with the outward confession. “Believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead”. The Christian INTERNALLY believes that Christ died for him and rose again, making atonement for our sins. The Christian OUTWARDLY professes Christ as Lord of all. Not just Lord of others, but Lord of our lives. He is Lord. The INternal and the EXternal are in agreement with the Christ follower.

No Human Designed “Sinner’s Prayer” Is Necessary

There is no set “sinners prayer” that any Christian need say, but an inward belief and an outward profession. There is, though, a prayer made to the Lord Jesus. We know this because the Apostle summarized what he said with “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Salvation comes when the sinner calls upon the name of the Lord. When the sinner repents and comes to Christ as Lord and Savior salvation is secured.

Romans 10:13-14 For Whosoever shall CALL upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they CALL on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Salvation comes to the sinner when that sinner
“calls upon the name of the Lord”.

The word translated “call” is the Greek ἐπικαλέομαι epikaléomai, (pronounced ep-ee-kal-eh’-om-ahee), which means “to cry out to, to call to” and by extension to pray.

When Stephen was martyred for professing Christ the Scripture says that he epikaléomai – “cried out to God, saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’ ” (Acts 7:59).
When the Apostle Paul was giving his testimony in Jerusalem before the Pharisees he testified that the day he was saved that the disciple Ananias came to him and shared the Gospel, saying “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, CALLING on the name of the Lord …(Acts 22:16). Again we see the use of epikaléomai.
The same Apostle Paul wrote the Church at Corinth: “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place CALL upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:2). Again we see the use of epikaléomai.

A person does not become a Child of God by osmosis, but by crying out to Christ as Lord and Savior. God creates the Christian in response to that believer’s cry of faith. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. No one is saved apart from the spoken Gospel, or apart from the confession of Christ in prayer.

We Return To The Garden By Prayer

God designed us to walk and talk with Him. When you read the Genesis account of creation it was “In the cool of the evening Adam and Eve heard the Lord God walking around in the garden” (Genesis 3:8, my paraphrase). We are led to believe from the context that God normally walked in the Garden with Adam and Eve, talking to them – that is, until sin caused a breach in our fellowship. We were made to walk and talk with God, just as surely as we were made to breath oxygen.

We were made to be in a living, breathing, moment by moment relationship with our Creator!

Salvation is not just a ticket to Heaven, but an entrance into the Family of God. Salvation is more than “Friending” God on Facebook. Salvation is much more that “Tweeting” on Twitter. Salvation is a moment by moment relationship with the God Who is, and Who loves you. Our love relationship with God requires communication, and communication is PRAYER.

If there is no relationship with God as Father, there is no communication, no prayer. Jesus told the religious crowd:

John 8:42-47 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

There is no point of communication between Christ and those who do not recognize Him as Lord. Those who are of God hears God’s words – the words that Christ speaks. The unbeliever cannot do that. The believer however CAN. Jesus said:

John 10:26-29 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

Those who are Christ’s by faith both HEAR and FOLLOW Christ. Jesus Himself HEARS those who are His. And those who are His have and hold eternal life – because Christ will not let us go.

Pastor E.M. Bounds – a great man of prayer who wrote 9 books on prayer – said that:

“Prayer has to do with the entire man. Prayer takes in man in his whole being, mind, soul and body. It takes the whole man to pray, and prayer affects the entire man in its gracious results. As the whole nature of man enters into prayer, so also all that belongs to man is the beneficiary of prayer. All of man receives benefits in prayer. The whole man must be given to God in praying. The largest results in praying come to him who gives himself, all of himself, all that belongs to himself, to God. This is the secret of full consecration, and this is a condition of successful praying, and the sort of praying which brings the largest fruits.”

God saves us through prayer. Christ Himself wants us to grow in Him through prayer. The first question every convert to Christ has to ask of himself is,

Do I know that I am saved?
If yes, then HOW do I know this?

Assured Of Salvation, Assured God Hears

The Scripture says in John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name”. The Bible does not want you to have a hope so salvation, but a know so salvation. Is God in your life? Are you a child of the King? If you are not certain, then it has an impact on your prayers. The Bible says:

James 1:6-8 (KJV) … let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. {7} For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. {8} A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 4:8 (KJV) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

What hinders prayers? A double mind. Where is your mind focused? If you are a child of the King then act as a child of the King. Know that He is yours, and you are His. If there is sin in your life then reject it. Throw it from your home as you would an unwelcome visitor or a pest. When I pray it is particularly important that my focus be on my Lord and Savior. Prayer – effective prayer – effects the whole person. We as Christians must not have a divided allegiance. In prayer we see the direction of our God, not our own satisfaction. As E.M. Bounds said in his book “The Essentials of Prayer”:

“Holiness is wholeness, and so God wants holy men, men whole-hearted and true, for His service.”

What is Biblical holiness? Holiness is not being “holier than thou” – that’s self righteousness. Holiness, the Greek hagiasmos {pronounced hag-ee-as-mos’}, means to be “set apart for God’s use”. This word, often translated “sanctify” (hagiazo), refers to devoting or setting yourself apart to God.

To pray effectively prior to prayer each believer should examine themselves for unconfessed sin, and then confess that sin to God (1 John 1:8-10). God will not hear the prayers of a believer out of fellowship. What does the Scripture say?

Proverbs 15:29 (KJV) The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Hebrews 12:14 (KJV) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

The word “see” is the Greek optanomai {pronounced op-tan’-om-ahee}, which means “to behold, to look at”. Our souls are to be right with God our Savior prior to prayer.

How You Pray Reveals The Posture Of Your Soul

How did the Old and New Testament Saints pray? How did they position themselves for prayer? Let’s look at the Word of God.

Abraham fell upon his face before God.

Genesis 17:3-5 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham;

Moses prayed with his hands outstretched to God.

Exodus 9:29 … As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord’s.

The Prophet Daniel kneeled upon his knees three times a day in prayer. King Solomon also knelt in prayer, raising his hands toward Heaven.

Daniel 6:10 (KJV) … Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

2 Chronicles 6:13 (KJV) … Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven“

Our Lord Jesus often looked up into Heaven as He prayed, though in Gethsemane He fell on His face as Abraham did.

Matthew 26:39 (KJV) {Jesus} went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Mark 6:41 … And when {Jesus} had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

John 11:41 … And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

Regardless as to posture in prayer the body will take the form most suited to the soul. Prayer should always be made in a humble posture. When we pray we are speaking to our Lord and God. We are not speaking to an equal, but to the Divine. We are speaking to a Friend – for we have a Friend in God – but He is Lord.

E.M. Bounds writes:

“As praying is asking for something definite of God, so, beforehand, the thought arises—“What shall I ask for at this hour?” All vain and evil and frivolous thoughts are eliminated, and the mind is given over entirely to God, thinking of Him, of what is needed, and what has been received in the past. By every token, prayer, in taking hold of the entire man, does not leave out the mind. The very first step in prayer is a mental one. The disciples took that first step when they said unto Jesus at one time, “Lord, teach us to pray.” We must be taught through the intellect, and just in so far as the intellect is given up to God in prayer, will we be able to learn well and readily the lesson of prayer.”

Prayer Is Best When Our Heart Is Committed To God

When Israel was to enter the Promised Land the Lord told His people:

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Jesus was asked the question one day “What is the first commandment of all the commandments” (Mark 12:28). Jesus quoted this same text. That which God wants of us more than all else is our hearts devoted to Him. This is true also of our prayers. Those who were most used of God while in this life knew that to love God was the most important thing we can do. The Psalmist said:

Psalm 119:2, 10 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart… 10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

The intent of all prayer is not to get more STUFF from God. The intent of prayer is to get MORE OF GOD. The Lord is our Portion and our Strength. If your love is divided then your prayers will be divided. E.M. Bounds wrote:

“… the entire man without reservation must love God. So it takes the same entire man to do the praying which God requires of men. All the powers of man must be engaged in it. God cannot tolerate a divided heart in the love He requires of men, neither can He bear with a divided man in praying.”

God knows our hearts. He knows what our intents are, regardless as to what we say. As someone once wrote:

“’Tis not enough to bend the knee,
And words of prayer to say;
The heart must with the lips agree,
Or else we do not pray.”

Posted in Praying Like Jesus Series, Sermons Preached | Tagged Prayer_Be_See | Leave a comment

The Best Day Ever

Posted on June 30, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Thomas Dils on Unsplash

Joshua 10:9-14 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. 10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. 11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. 12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.

Humans often say the wrong thing. God never says the wrong thing, but we do. One of the most quoted statements I have heard related to the life of Evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Moody was THE Billy Graham before there was a Billy Graham. The story as I heard it was that Dwight L. Moody and some friends gathered together in a hay field to pray. His friend Henry Varley reportedly said:

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly
consecrated to Him”

The story is sometimes embellished with other details. In Paul Gericke’s book Crucial Experiences In The Life of D.L. Moody a conversation between Evangelist Varley and the yet unknown Moody is told:

“During the afternoon of the day of conference Mr. Moody asked me to join him in the vestry of the Baptist Church. We were alone, and he recalled the night’s meeting at Willow Park and our converse the following morning. “Do you remember your words?” {Moody} said. I replied, “I well remember our interview, but I do not recall any special utterance.” {Moody continued} “Don’t you remember saying, ‘Moody, the world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to him?’ ” {Varley replied} “Not the actual sentence,” … “Ah,” said Mr. Moody, “those were the words sent to my soul, through you, from the Living God. As I crossed the wide Atlantic, the boards of the deck of the vessel were engraved with them, and when I reached Chicago, the very paving stones seemed marked with ‘Moody, the world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to him.’ Under the power of those words I have come back to England, and I felt that I must not let more time pass until I let you know how God had used your words to my inmost soul.”

I believe God spoke to Moody that day. But it is NOT true that the “world has never seen what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him”. How do I know? Because Joshua was a man fully consecrated to God. Enoch was a man fully consecrated to God, but we know little of his life. But Joshua – oh Joshua!

Joshua Loved The Lord. Do You Love The Lord?

Joshua lived for the Lord. Joshua did not walk the aisle at Church, get baptized, then forget about God save for the occasional Easter or Christmas service. Joshua did not slide God into a drawer until he needed the Lord.

No Beloved, Joshua loved the Lord. His life was fully dedicated and consecrated to God. It was because of this great love that Joshua never lost a battle other than that bad incident at Ai. Had Joshua listened to God before attacking Ai he would have never lost that battle. But Joshua had the same problem that we all have. He is a man subject to failure. Only one man ever walked the face of this earth and NEVER failed God, and that was the god-Man Jesus Christ. All others have failed at times. But Joshua – now Joshua, he came close to Christ in his faithfulness to God. He focused on God. He loved the LORD.

If You Love The Lord, Think And Pray Before You Act

We all make mistakes. One of the big mistakes that Joshua’s generals made was to make a truce with the city of Gibeon. Too often today that which is supposed to be the Church of Christ makes truces with Gibeon. We too often tolerate sin and worldliness. We too often depart from the Word of God and dress things up the way that we want them. What is our Commission from God? Is it not the same that Israel had? Did not Jesus say:

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

In the entirety of this Great Commission there is no word “truce” or “surrender” or “compromise”.

The Commission Christ has given us – and that He gave Israel – was GO. Represent God. Teach what God said. Do what God said. Never did the Lord – either Old or New Testament – say “Go and compromise with the world”. Beloved, how can Light compromise with darkness? How can evil and good abide in the same house? We are not Taoists that believe in YIN and YANG, the blending of light and dark. Jesus said:

“You are the Light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Let your light SHINE before men that they may see your good works, and GLORIFY your FATHER which is in Heaven! (Matthew 5:14-16, my paraphrase)”.

Oh, how shall we compromise? When we compromise the Commission we put ourselves and others at risk of damnation and hell fire. It is a FEARFUL thing to fall into the hands of the LIVING GOD (Hebrews 10:31).

The princes of Israel compromise with the city of Gibeon. They made a truce with the unconverted. This has often happened among the Methodists, the Presbyterians, the Baptists, the Pentecostals, and various other so called “denominations” and “non-denominations” of organized religion. Joshua did not want to compromise with Gibeon. Yet the leaders of Israel did so, making a truce where no truce should be made.

Joshua is obligated because of the bad decision of others. Gibeonites are now the allies of Israel, for the princes and bishops of the Church have made an allegiance. When you make an allegiance with the darkness, be prepared to have to go to battle. We read:

Joshua 10:1-2 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedec king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; 2 That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.

The world – that fallen world – saw the compromise that God’s Church made with the unconverted. When certain denominations went with the flow and let darkness be called “light” the evil grew. Rather than repenting and being saved the unconverted became MORE BOLD in their sin. Now they attack and call those who once were their friends.

Five kings – lead by Adonizedec king of Jerusalem – decided to attack Gibeon. Gibeon made a truce with Israel, and Gibeon was in a place that Israel could occupy can strategically destroy the other cities. So Adonizedec contacts Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon. His plan is simple. “Let’s destroy Gibeon before Joshua and Israel can occupy it!”

Five Is The Number Of Grace

There is a beautiful picture here if you would see it. In the Bible FIVE is the number of GRACE. I do not believe it is a coincidence that there are five kings attacking Gibeon.

God gave us FIVE senses we neither earn nor deserve.
FIVE is reported 318 times in Scripture.
There are FIVE mysteries:
The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, Creation and Redemption.
Jesus Christ has FIVE wounds that held Him to the Cross.
There are FIVE sections in Psalms,
FIVE Books of the Law.
Israel brought FIVE offerings to God:
The Burnt, Sin, Trespass, Grain and the Peace Offerings.
David killed Goliath with one of FIVE stones.
The Church is founded on FIVE Books,
The FOUR Gospels and the Book of Acts makes FIVE.
FIVE is the number of Grace!

These FIVE Kings band together to attack Gibeon. Beloved, trials often come to lead us to God and His Grace. The Scripture says in James 1:2-3 “Brothers and sisters in Christ, be JOYFUL when you fall into various TRIALS {my paraphrase}”. Our response to God is “Trials Lord? Why should I be joyful when trials come?” Because, Beloved, trials are an opportunity for God to show you who you really are.

Gibeon is tried. Gibeon is tried.
Where does Gibeon look for it’s salvation?

Does Gibeon hear the Words of God, “Look unto Me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22)? No. No. When the unbeliever is in a bad way do they go to the ATHEIST or the CULTIST or even to the BLATANT SINNER among them? No! When the unbeliever is in a bad way they look for someone who is EMPOWERED.

Gibeon knew that Israel under Joshua crossed the Jordan as if on dry land. Gibeon knew that Israel under Joshua destroyed Jericho. Gibeon knew that Israel under Joshua destroyed Ai. Israel under Joshua was being blessed. They were undefeated while they followed God. So Gibeon sends messengers to Joshua saying…

Joshua 10:6 …. Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

Joshua cannot save anyone – but God can! Beloved, salvation is of the Lord (Psalm 3:8; 62:1). God has His Church on the earth to be HIS hands and feet, HIS agents, HIS ambassadors. The lost of Gibeon are crying out to the Old Testament Church. Save us, Joshua! All the Kings of the Amorites – fierce mountain men – are gathered together in one accord to kill us. Save us, Joshua!

We cannot save the world – but Jesus can. When the unbeliever cries out for help will we show them JESUS?

What does Joshua do? Does he sit back and say, “Well, these people are NOT believers. They tricked their way into an alliance with us. We owe them nothing!” Oh Beloved,

You are God’s Light.
You are God’s creation.
You are God’s creature.
You are God’s Kingdom.
You are God’s Church.

The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to REPENTANCE (2 Peter 3:9). That unbelieving friend that is in the hospital, did YOU, dear Christ follower, share Jesus with them? Or did you BEMOAN the fact that they are ill, looking hopeless and helpless. Shame, shame, shame on the Christian who will not trust God. Joshua made no excuses. He did not linger. What does the Bible say? IMMEDIATELY …

Joshua 10:7 … Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.

Joshua ascended. Joshua looked up and went because God spoke to his heart. The Lord told Joshua:

Joshua 10:8 … Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

Joshua “waited on the Lord, and was of good courage – and God strengthened his heart” {my paraphrase} (Psalm 27:14). When you are doing God’s work God’s way then God never leaves you nor forsakes you (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). Joshua begins to move, and with him all of Israel. I am told that this trek was around 25 miles one way. Joshua and the children of Israel began to walk toward Gibeon.

Joshua “went up from Gilgal ALL NIGHT” (Joshua 10:9).

As day turned to night the city of Gibeon, surrounded by five kingdoms, began to despair. They didn’t know that Joshua IMMEDIATELY set out to save them. I can imagine those warriors standing guard on the outer walls. Far below them was a mass of people, like sand of the sea. The five kingdoms were not worried. Oh no, they were many. The five kingdom army bedded down for the night. The campfires dimmed. Thousands of men in full weaponized gear rested for the slaughter for the next day.

The guards on the walls of Gibeon look out in despair. Gibeon means “on a hill”. Gibeon is on a hill, but there are five kingdoms from the MOUNTAINS. They are far superior. One guard looks at the other. “I think I see movement, coming this way.” The other guard says “It is just our messengers returning from Israel. We have no hope!” And then the sound of thunder. Thousands of marching feet rock the earth. The Bible says:

Joshua 10:9-10 … Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. 10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

The armies of darkness awaken to confusion and the power of God’s people. Their armor forgotten, the minions of evil run into the night. Some nearly escape. But the Bible says:

Joshua 10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

God will be glorified! God will be glorified! No one can say it was Joshua’s prowess that won this battle. Absolutely not. God was in it. That is why it was won. “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ Jesus Who strengthens me”! (Philippians 4:13). God begins to hurl great hailstones down from Heaven, big enough to kill the enemy. God destroys the darkness. God destroys the darkness.

The Best Day Ever Because Light Shines On

But the sun begins to set. And here is where the wonder of our text is. We are told:

Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

Unbelievers have a field day with this verse. I have heard them say:

“Doesn’t your God know that the Sun doesn’t move?
Is He that ignorant?”

Well Beloved, God does know that the sun stands still, and that the earth and the moon rotate around it. Yet even knowing this truth today our most educated meteorologists speak of “Sunrise” and “Sunset”. To our perspective the sun seems to rise and set. The Bible says

“… from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s Name is to be praised” Psalm 113:3.

Judges 14:18 “… before the sun went down”.

From our perspective the sun seems to rise and set. God gave us the ability to grow in knowledge and to know that the sun does stay still, but we rotate around it. God knows the truth.

But WE are feeble. To Joshua the sun appeared to rise and to set. So Joshua asked God to still the sun and the moon, to keep light upon the earth so that he could finish the job. Beloved, I see two great truths in this:

We do not always understand the mystery of creation. But God does. God knows all the stars by name (Psalm 147:4). We know little. Even with our NASA and the HUBBLE telescope, we still know very little. If an asteroid hit this earth the size of, say, Maryland, an itty bitty state, that asteroid would destroy all life on this planet. It would be as scientists call it “An Extinction Level Event” or ELE. Why don’t asteroids hit us? Why life on our planet, and no one else? We don’t know. We just can’t know all things – but God can.
We do not always in our ignorance ask the right prayer of God. Joshua had no idea that the sun didn’t move. But he asked God to take care of it.

Beloved, I do not know how God can be Triune. I do not know how it was possible for God to become man. I do not truly understand how God saved my soul, changing me from a lost and dark person into one of His Beloved Children. I do not understand how God can love a sinner like me. I do not understand why God does kill me – you – all of us where we are right now. I don’t understand. But God does. God does. Some of you smartalecks in the audience smirk and poke one another when I speak of Christ and his Cross. I do not understand why God does not blast you into hell this very moment. I do not understand why God doesn’t kill the blasphemer. Why does God tolerate the idiotic groups like Freedom From Religion and abortion sponsoring people? Joshua didn’t understand. I don’t understand. Joshua just prayed what he did know. Joshua prayed for a LONG DAY so he could finish God’s work. And God heard him.

Joshua 10:13-14 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.

The best day ever is the day you learn to live your life with God. The best day ever is when we hear Jesus, and race to His loving arms. If God can make a long day, God can fix that which ails you. Oh Beloved, look unto Jesus. Do not allow the whispers on the devil and of the world to keep you from God’s loving embrace.

A judgment day is coming. The Bible declares:

Hebrews 9:27-28 … it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

The five kings thought their judgment would never come. It did. Do not think your judgment day will never come. It will. Today is the day to look upward. Today is the day to ask Christ to touch your life, to save you, to cast down your enemies. Today. Not tomorrow, but today. Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation. May God speak to your hearts this very day.

Posted in Joshua, Sermons Preached | Tagged Light of God | Leave a comment

The Nature Of Evil

Posted on June 30, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Peter Forster on Unsplash

When we read our Bibles – particularly when we read the Old Testament – we often wonder if the text has anything to do with us who are believers in Christ in this Church Age. In Joshua God’s Old Testament Church was going into Canaan to conquer that land. God commissioned Israel to do his will. Canaan was a land nearly totally devoid of God. I say “nearly totally” because God did save Rahab and her family at Jericho. Other than Rahab and her loved ones we have seen none others who were even slightly interested in the Lord God Almighty.

God gave a specific commission to Joshua as Israel’s new leader:

Joshua 1:2-4 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

Take Possession Of Your Possession

This Book has to do with Israel. God’s commission to Joshua was “go in and seize the land”. Israel was to take possession of their possession. Those who were in the land were squatters. God in His infinite mercy allowed the Canaanites to occupy the land for many years. God reached out to them just as He reached out to father Abraham.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Scripture declares “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). God tried reaching the Canaanites. They rejected Him, so God gave the land to Abraham and his descendants. That is what the Book of Joshua is about. It is about God’s people claiming the land for God.

“Joshua” is about God’s people changing the social landscape, taking and making God’s Kingdom come while casting out the forces of darkness!

So how does this Book apply to us? The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Every part of the Scripture is written to God’s people. No part suddenly became obsolete because of the Cross and the Empty Tomb. God is, and has always been. And God has always had a people that He loved and redeemed through Christ Jesus. The Old Church looked forward, believing in the Coming Redeemer. The New Church looks backward, believing in the Redeemer Who has come, Jesus Christ.

Darkness Hates Light

Joshua’s commission was to take the land, to spread the Light of God and cast out the darkness. Our commission in this Church Age is to do the same thing. We are to bring in God’s Kingdom. Jesus prayed before He headed toward Calvary:

John 17:14-15 I have given {Your Children} thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil {one}.

God never changes. Every good gift comes from our God, the God Who never varies nor changes (James 1:17). Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The enemy never changes, either. The devil leads the forces of evil into expanding the darkness of his kingdom.

John 1:5 .. the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. The world – led by satanic forces – does not comprehend the Light of God. So the forces of evil and their General old Lucifer attacks the forces of God in one of two ways:

Evil attacks light by direct confrontation. We read:

Joshua 9:1-2 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; 2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

Six different types of people gathered together do do battle with Joshua and God’s Israel. The Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites were people that had warred with one another in times passed. Each group worshiped different idols, and had different customs. Yet they banded together to destroy God’s Forces. The Bible says:

they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel,
with one accord

Evil – though varied – comes to fight with the light of God “in one accord”. Evil is in one accord because it has one general, old satan, called “the devil” or Lucifer. We are told in Scripture:

1 John 5:19 .. we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

The whole world – every bit of it – is a follower of the Wicked One. There are varying degrees of evil. Certainly not everyone is a murderer, nor an adulterer, nor a person in the bondage of homosexuality or heterosexual illicit sin. Just as Joshua confronted Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites – all different with different heritages and cultures – the Church of Christ today confronts varying degrees of darkness. Those who are in the bondage of darkness shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. The Scripture declares in Revelation 22:15; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 5:19–21 and Ephesians 5🕔:5 …

“{My Paraphrase} Outside of Heaven are unbelievers, spiritual mediums, sexually immoral people like adulterers and homosexuals, murderers, worshipers of false gods, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, those who swindle or fight with others, and all who love darkness and despise light.”

The Bible is adamant that (1 John 3:8) “he that committeth sin is of the devil”. Yes, we all sin. But the Christ follower is the person who realizes that:

… for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8, continued).

Evil realizes that it can make no compromise with the Light that is God. This is why evil binds together in one accord. The intention of evil is to resist God and resist God’s Light. “They gathered themselves TOGETHER to FIGHT with Joshua and with Israel, IN ONE ACCORD”.

Evil attacks light by Direct Infiltration

Though the devil is not adverse to direct confrontation with the King of Heaven, he has discovered that the best way to destroy the Light of God is to infiltrate the family of God. In the early Church the devil tried martyring the leaders of the Christian community. Stephen the deacon and evangelist was martyred by Saul of Tarsus and others (Acts 22:20). The site All About Following Jesus.org notes:

“James the son of Zebedee was beheaded in approximately 44 A.D. Philip was crucified in 54 A.D. Matthew was killed with a halberd, an ax-like weapon, in 60 A.D. James, who is thought to be the brother of Jesus, was beaten to death, Matthias was beheaded, Andrew was crucified, Mark was torn to pieces, and Peter was crucified upside down. Jude, Bartholomew, and Thomas were also martyred. Paul suffered martyrdom in Rome where he was beheaded. Other early apostles Luke, Barnabas, Timothy, and Simon were also killed for the sake of Christ.”

The devil has discovered over time that direct confrontation often backfires.

So the devil tries infiltration. This is what he did with the Gibeonites:

Joshua 9:3-5 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, 4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; 5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.

The Gibeonites were a group of people descended from the Hivites and Amorites. If you remember the Hivites and Amorites were a people who directly confronted Israel and the Lord. The Gibeonites were a group of Amorites who did NOT want to do direct battle with Israel. Why? Because they saw the power of God. “They heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai. Though Ai battled and won with Israel during their first attack, God led Israel back to Ai and victory. The Gibeonites knew that – as long as Israel listened to God – that they could be destroyed. So what did the Gibeonites do?

They used deception. They went to Joshua’s camp in the midst of Israel with no weapons whatsoever. They loaded their donkeys down with worn out sacks and old wineskins that had been mended. The Gibeonites put patched sandals on their feet, and wore old clothes. They paid attention to detail. Even their food was dry, old, and moldy. The Gibeonites looked like a delegation that had traveled for a long time. The Bible says:

Joshua 9:6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.

This is how evil infiltrates the Light of God. The Gibeonites presented themselves as a peace loving people who lived far away from the areas that Joshua and Israel would be attacking. They in essence said, “We are not Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, or Jebusites. We come from a far land. We will never be any trouble to you. We want to make a peace treaty with you.”

In short, the Gibeonites tricked Joshua and all Israel.

Joshua 9:7-13 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? 8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? 9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, 10 And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. 11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. 12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is moldy: 13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

Flattery And Misdirection Confuse Us

Notice how the Gibeonites ingratiated themselves to Joshua and Israel. “We are your servants”. A loving person always speaks the truth in love and rejoices in the truth – not in evil (1 Corinthians 13:6). The God indwelt Christian loves truth. Our Master Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Jesus was never mean spirited – but He never buttered up or flattered people. When Jesus was attacked by the Pharisees how did they start the attack?

Mark 12:14-15 … when {The Pharisees} were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But {Jesus}, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.

The Gibeonites came to Israel ingratiating themselves. “We are your servants”. We mean no harm. You will never be effected by our presence. How often has the Church of God been infiltrated? How many times have we compromised with darkness, only to find us weakened because of it. Evil does not compromise! The Bible says:

John 3:17-21 … God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on {Jesus} is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Those who wish to become members of God’s family will come to Jesus Christ and be saved. But those who do not wish to do so – who revel in their sins and in the darkness – will not come to the light. The Gibeonites tricked Israel:

Joshua 9:14 {Israel} asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.

Just as Joshua did when he attacked Ai the first time and was defeated, now Israel makes a treaty with these Gibeonites without discussing this with God. It was after the treaty was made that …

Joshua 9:16-18 … it came to pass at the end of three days after {Israel} had made a league with {the Gibeonites}, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them. 17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. 18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

Israel was given a commission to take all of the land for the glory of God. But now Israel was in a bad way. The princes of the twelve tribes of Israel had all “sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.” (Joshua 9:19-20). Israel made an oath in the name of God that they would not attack these people. Jesus tells us:

Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Israel should have never forsworn a treaty in the Name of God without FIRST consulting God. Beloved, you cannot compromise with evil. Light and dark do not mix, and never will.

We Are God’s Representatives

After Israel was tricked into making peace with the darkness Joshua – bless his heart – asked the Gibeonites:

Joshua 9:22 … Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

You might as well ask “why is green, green?” Darkness will always seek to make light into darkness. I heard an old story one time that I want to share. A scorpion came to the edge of a river and wanted to cross it. Seeing that he couldn’t he cried out to a duck floating nearby. “Mr Duck, will you give me a ride across this river?” Mr. Duck replied, “Do I look crazy? Why would I let a scorpion on my back? You’ll sting and kill me!” The scorpion said “Oh Mr. Duck, I promise not to sting you. In fact, if you’ll let me ride across this river on your back I’ll show you where some tasty nuts are hidden on the other side.” Mr Duck said, “It’s a deal!”. He allowed the scorpion to get on his back. Once they had reached the other side he asked the scorpion, “Where are those nuts you promised me”? The scorpion stung the duck in his head, and as Mr. Duck lay dying he asked “Why didn’t you keep your word to me?” The scorpion said, “You knew what I was when you let me get on your back. You’re the nut! And you deserve what you got!”.

Let’s not be nuts, but Ambassadors of Christ. Beloved, let us share Christ as God has said. Let us love others. But let us never compromise nor allow evil to infiltrate Christ’s Church. Jesus Christ died to be Lord and Savior of His Church. Hear Him! Love Him! Glory to God!

Posted in Joshua, Sermons Preached | Tagged compromise, devil, evil, Light vs Darkness | Leave a comment

Lord, Teach Us To Pray: Part 2

Posted on June 20, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

Luke 11:1-4 And it came to pass, that, as {Jesus} was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

When you are actually HUNGRY for the Presence of God … then you will learn how to pray!

The disciples came to Jesus seeking instruction on how to pray. Our Lord gave His children a pattern of prayer. Last time we discussed prayer we said that effective prayer:

Occurs only when we are in fellowship with one another. “Our Father”.
Occurs only when we are saved by faith in Christ. “Father”.
Is addressed to the “Father” in the name of the Son, and in the power of the Spirit.
Always glorifies God. “Hallowed be Thy Name”.
Exalts God’s will. “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done”.
Comes from a forgiving, kind heart. “Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us”.

Jesus often prayed so that others could see and hear Him. But there are five other truths that we discover in how our Lord prayed.

Jesus Prayed Alone

Luke 5:15-16 15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Our Jesus is Eternal God made perfect Man. He is the Word Who was with God, and was God (John 1:1-3). But Jesus is also Man. Though many came to Him for help as He walked this earth, Jesus was ever mindful that as Human He had limitations. Our Jesus often withdrew to pray – to seek the Father’s Will and the Spirit’s empowerment. The Bible says:

Matthew 14:22-23 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Jesus did not rush His alone time with the Father. As you can see He prayed from afternoon until evening. There were other times that Jesus prayed all night long, forsaking sleep in order to dwell in the Father’s Presence. When He was attacked by the Pharisees for healing a cripple man on the Sabbath the Bible says:

Luke 6:11-12 And {the Pharisees} were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. 12 And it came to pass in those days, that {Jesus} went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Oh that we would ALL follow the example of Christ when attacked by our enemies.

Too often when attacked we perch like emotional vultures on the branch of the tree called “vengeance”, watching until we can pounce on them like they pounced on us.

Jesus exemplified “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-40). Rather than respond in human anger Jesus purposely sought the silence of the prayer closet. I am sure He prayed for His enemies, just as He asked us to do. “Pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, {Jesus} went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Jesus prayed at various time, but always started His day with prayer.

Jesus Prayed Publicly

Many of Jesus’ prayers are recorded in the Gospel, which tells us that our Lord prayed publicly as well as privately. Jesus always prayed before a meal. When Jesus rose from the grave He appeared to a couple of disciples walking on the Emmaus Road. As Jesus walked with them they did not know Who He was. The Bible says that He told these grieving disciples:

Luke 24:25-27 O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Once they reached Emmaus these disciples invited Jesus to dine with them. The Bible says:

Luke 24:30-31 And it came to pass, as {Jesus} sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

These disciples were well acquainted with Jesus’ “blessings” on the table before He ate. The Bible commands us to pray for our food. Why? Because when we thank God for our food we are acknowledging that God is our Provider. We are giving glory to our Savior and Lord (Romans 11:36) for His provision. We are told in:

1 Timothy 4:4-5 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

God told His Israel before they went into Canaan:

Deuteronomy 8:7-11 For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. 10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God ..

Some bless their food before eating – others afterward. Just be sure you don’t forget to bless the food by recognizing the Gracious God Who gave it.

Jesus Prayed For Others

Before Jesus was arrested and tried by the Pharisees our Lord prayed for His Church. He said:

John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:34:

“It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Jesus prayed for others on the earth while He was on earth. Now that He is in glory Jesus makes intercession for us. He prays for us. He prays for His children. We are never far from His thoughts and prayers. Would that we could do the same for our loving Lord!

Let us make a commitment to one another and to our God that we will make prayer a priority. Billy Graham said:

“God loves us, and He wants us to bring every concern we have to Him in prayer. You can’t offend Him by saying something wrong; He loves you, and He welcomes your simplest prayer! One reason Jesus Christ died for us is so we could be cleansed of our sins and approach God in prayer (Hebrews 4:16).”

Posted in Luke, prayer, Praying Like Jesus Series, Sermons Preached | Tagged prayer series | Leave a comment

Where Do You Build Your Altar?

Posted on June 16, 2019 by bibleteacherorg

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Joshua 8:30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal ..

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Where Do You Build Your “Altar”?

An “Altar” is a place where you worship your God. An “Altar” is a place of surrender – not where God surrenders, but where WE surrender. Where do you build your “Altar”?

In Joshua Chapter 7 we saw the defeat of Israel at a place called Ai (עַי ʻAy, pronounced ah’ee). We saw Joshua on his face, torn clothing, his ministry of leadership in tatters. He was begging the Lord for an answer as to why he and Israel was defeated at Ai. Joshua actually blamed the Lord for the defeat.

Joshua 7:7 … Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

Why did God’s people fail at Ai? They triumphed at Jericho, but were soundly beaten at Ai. As a matter of fact,

The defeat at Ai would be the ONLY battle
God’s people would lose!

Why did they lose? Because Israel had unconfessed sin among them.

Achan took a cursed thing from Jericho.
Joshua listened to people rather than God.
Everyone UNDERESTIMATED the enemy, and
OVERESTIMATED their own power.

They built their altars in the wrong place!

Where Is Your Altar Built?

When Israel was defeated at Ai – the only defeat recorded in the Book of Joshua – it was because of OVERESTIMATION of their power and UNDERESTIMATION of the enemy. Joshua sent spies to Ai, who came back and told him:

Joshua 7:3 … Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.

Israel took the much larger and much more fortified Jericho without the loss of even one life. If WE can storm Jericho and take it with no loss IMAGINE what we can do at Ai. Beloved, when it becomes more about US than it is about the LORD then it is not long before we are chased about by the lost.

Never UNDERestimate the power of the enemy!
Never UNDERestimate the power of the devil!
Never OVERestimate your own abilities!
We have no power outside of Christ our Lord.

We are told over and over in Scripture that we MUST rely on the power of God our Savior. Jesus told us:

John 15:3-5 … Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

We have no power apart from God our Savior. The day that I was saved – the day that ANYONE is saved – is the day that we understood this basic principle. Before I was saved I worried about what others would say. I judged myself by myself and by others around me. But the day that I came to Christ I stopped worrying about what other people thought. I stopped worrying about peer pressure. I walked that aisle. I didn’t care who saw me, or what they thought of me. I just knew that I was a sinner, doomed to hellfire for all eternity. I knew that I was lost. But I wanted to be saved. I came surrendering my all to Jesus.

If you are saved by faith in Christ, you did exactly the same thing. But over time we forget. We forget that the Bible does not say:

I can do ALL THINGS, but
Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST
which strengtheneth me.

Apart from God our Savior we are nothing – we must not forget this. When Israel went against Ai the first time they took only 3000 warriors with them – and it was an epic FAIL. Sin was in the camp. God’s people overestimated themselves and underestimated the enemy – and people died because of it. What did God tell Israel?

Joshua 8:1-2 the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take ALL the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: 2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king …

God’s people consecrated themselves. They confessed their sins before God. They were honest with their Lord. They put away the cursed thing, and relied totally on the Lord. God said “take ALL the people”. It will take ALL. It will take ALL who are committed to the cause of Christ. We must ALL work together, trusting in the Lord.

Let GOD do the leading, and WE the following.

When Jesus was on the face of this earth how did He battle satan and the forces of evil?

Jesus said “it is written”.
People do not like “it is written”.
Today everyone prefers “I think” over “it is written”.

We have great technology. We have advanced in technology to where hospitals and doctors can extend life beyond whatever it used to be. We have computerized things like “Alexa” that turns on and off our lights, our radios, our things. We have search engines and a world wide internet. We are covered up with knowledge. Human knowledge. People walk around staring at their phones, tapping on screens. We know so much. Yet we know so little. We desperately need God.

There are two very misunderstood passages in the Scripture. They are:

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Many of the prosperity preachers we see on television quote the Proverbs text and talk about God making you visionary. These texts have nothing to do with that.

These texts tell us the importance of knowing
and applying the Word of God.

When Joshua went to Jericho following the Word of God exactly that mighty city fell. But when Joshua and the children of Israel followed their own word rather than God’s Word they suffered great defeat.

God’s people are destroyed when they lack the Word of God. Those who are visionless are those who do not hear
and do the Word of God.

Hearing God’s direction and doing what God said – hearing His promise – things would be different the next time Israel went to Ai. Listening to God and His direction Joshua did things differently this time. We read:

Joshua 8:3-7 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night. 4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready: 5 And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, 6 (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them. 7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand.

When the word of man was in control about 3000 were taken to Ai – and were chased away. But now – listening to God – Joshua does things differently. He sent 30,000 men out by night to hide behind the city – on the non-gated side. Joshua and his troops would storm Ai like they did before. This time, however, when the troops of Ai came out to attack, Joshua and his force would cut tail and run.

Joshua 8:15-19 … And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. 16 And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. 17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. 18 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. 19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.

Oh Beloved, when God is in control His people are triumphant! When God’s people hear and do God’s Word, it is THEN the blessings of God come upon us.

Are Your Possessions Your Altar?

When Israel went to take Jericho God told them to take nothing from the city. If it was not taken into God’s treasury, then it was to be destroyed by fire. Achan took something from Jericho, and brought a curse upon the people. God told Israel:

Joshua 7:13 … There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.

Israel was to take NOTHING from Jericho. However, when they attacked Ai God said:

Joshua 8:2 .. thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves …

Why could God’s people take the goods from Ai but not from Jericho? Because the Word of the Lord said so. There is a very plain lesson in this for us all to see. The things that we have are a blessing that God has given us. Everything we have belongs to God. We ourselves belong to God. God spoke through the Prophet Ezekiel saying:

Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Ezekiel 18:20-24 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? 24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Everything I have and everything
I hold is but temporal.
My only Permanent Possession is God My Father.

Psalm 119:57-64 Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words. 58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Joshua and Israel did according to God’s Word – and were blessed to take Ai without the loss of even one life.

Oh Beloved, do not make an idol of your possessions.
Oh my Beloved, do not make an idol of your children, your wife, your husband, your kin.
Oh my Beloved, make your altar upon the Word of God.
Oh my Beloved, do not worship THINGS, for THINGS cannot save you.

A rich young ruler came to Jesus in Mark 10:17 asking “what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus told that young man “sell what you have, give the money to the poor, take up your Cross and follow Me” (Mark 10:21). That young man went away sorrowful because possessions were his god. He loved not Jesus, but STUFF. You cannot enter Heaven through that narrow door carrying stuff in your arms (Matthew 7:13-14). Think about it.

When Zacchaeus was saved Jesus did not tell him to “sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow Me”. Why? Because when Zacchaeus was saved he said in

Luke 19:8 … Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Jesus was to Zacchaeus “Lord”. Zacchaeus was no longer worshiping at the altar of STUFF, but worshiped God and the Jesus Who saved him.

Jesus never told Joseph of Arimathaea to “sell all he had, give it to the poor, and follow Me”. Why? Because Joseph did not have an altar built of STUFF. Joseph loved the Lord Jesus. He proved it by going to get Jesus’ body from the Cross on the day our Master died (John 19:38-42).

If you put STUFF up as an altar you will not be blessed of God. If you make your FAMILY first place in front of God you will not be blessed. Joshua never failed again because he made God’s Word first. Not just at Ai, but everywhere he went.

Joshua Built An Altar

Joshua 8:30 … Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal,

The battle over, Joshua builds an altar “unto the Lord God”. The altar was built according to the Word of the Lord:

Joshua 8:31 … as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings.

“As it is written”. The altar is built the way that God said build it. Joshua obeyed the Word of God. He did what God said do. God spoke through Moses before that great man died and passed on leadership to Joshua:

Deuteronomy 27:4-8 … it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister. 5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the Lord thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. 6 Thou shalt build the altar of the Lord thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord thy God: 7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the Lord thy God. 8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

In Deuteronomy 27:10-13 God said that after the altar was built of unhewn stone that some of the people were to stand on mount Gerizim to bless the people, and the rest were to stand upon mount Ebal to curse. I do not have time to go into detail on this right now. But the “blessings and cursings” are found in Deuteronomy 27-28. What God was having the people do in a very graphic way was to show that they would be blessed when they followed God, but cursed when they disobeyed God. These two mountains would illustrate:

You get a MOUNTAIN OF BLESSING (Gerizim) when you obey God.
You get a MOUNTAIN OF CURSING (Ebal) when you disobey God.

Joshua built an altar. Where did he build the altar? Joshua built the altar on Mount Ebal – the mountain of cursing. Cursed be the one who disobeys the Word of God (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). Cursed be the person who disobeys the Law of God. Cursed be the person who is not perfect in his or her walk before God. When we break God’s Law we fall under the curse of God. How then are we to be blessed of God?

Look where the altar is built.
It is built on Mount Ebal.
The altar is built on the Mountain of our curse.
The Cross is built on Calvary!

Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal – the mountain of cursing – because that is where we needed that altar. Jesus Christ died on Calvary. Jesus Christ took the judgment for my sins and for yours. The Scripture declares:

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 … we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For {God} hath made {Christ} to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The curse was on Ebal – the curse was on Calvary. It is in the loving mercy of God that Christ’s Blood was shed for us. Jesus “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). When Joshua built that altar on Ebal it had none of the cunning work of man’s hand. The altar was of natural, uncut stone. Man found rock and carried it to that place. We do nothing to earn or deserve our salvation. The animal slain on that altar was an innocent, just as Jesus was innocent. The Blood spilled on that altar was like that of Christ’s. His Blood was shed for me, and shed for you. He is our “peace offering”. Because of that Altar on Calvary – Ebal –

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Oh Blessed Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for sending Him to die for us. Our sins, like mountains, stood between us and You. But You have given Christ to us to redeem us. In Christ we have redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14). In Christ we have a Savior Who came that we might have life, life more abundantly (John 10:10). How often have we fallen short of bringing glory to You? How often have we taken the cursed thing to our breast, hiding it from You rather than repenting. Oh Lord, we deserve judgment. Oh Father, we deserve death and damnation. But thank You, dear Jesus, that You took what WE deserve upon Yourself. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).

If you have made a commitment to follow Jesus this day, while we stand to sing our invitation will you come forward and grab my hand? I will pray with you. If you would like to join the fellowship of this Church you must give your heart to Christ, and commit to follow Him in baptism if you have not already done so. Come, stand by me. I will pray with you, and for you. Give your all to Jesus this very day. Do not waste His glorious sacrifice – He gave Himself for you all! May God touch your heart by His Word.