The Way R122

Following on the twice repeated “accursed” of verses 8&9 Paul conveys the reason for the corrupting of the gospel - seeking to please man rather than serve God. Even though Paul was in rebellion against God, violently persecuting the Church, he was still of the elect and God turned the evil that Paul was engaged in to good for the cause of the gospel. Paul’s past was horrific to consider. He was an outright enemy of the Lord, persecuting and sending believers to their deaths. But Christ transformed him mightily, made him a new creation, and set him on the path of service in the cause of the gospel. I am sure Satan used Paul’s past against him, throwing it up before him to instill feelings of guilt and remorse. Satan is an accuser, and Paul’s past gave him much to use against him.

If we strive to let all that we hope to accomplish in the new year spring from the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ abiding in us, how can we fail? The most important thing during our time on earth is our response to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our time in the visible realm is but a breath, but our spiritual existence is eternal. And, our eternity can be glorious in Christ’s presence - but only if the penalty for our sins in this life are washed away and we are reconciled to God, and that is something we have no ability on our own to do. Prayerfully consider each of the following points, meditate on them, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

Relative truth, the rejection of absolute truth which is the word of God, calling lies truth and truth lies, calling good evil and evil good. This insanity is a hallmark of a society in rapid decline. For Christians, the truth is everything. Our faith and trust - all that we believe, all that we are, the promises our faith and hope are grounded on are the foundation of absolute truth. Jesus is The Way, and the Truth, and the Life. So, how do we fight back against such blatant corruption and insanity? How do we make a stand for truth amidst a sea of lies? "For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 CSB

Let’s preface with Spurgeon’s comment on Philippians 4:6-7 from the CSB Spurgeon Study Bible: Philippians 4:6-7, "Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Spurgeon comments, “Oh, that God might teach us how to avoid the evil that is here forbidden, and to live with that holy carelessness which is the very beauty of the Christian life - when all our care is cast on God, and we can joy and rejoice in his providential care of us.”

In the last eighteen months, how much time of worship and communion with the Lord has been stolen by fear, anger, and anxiety, as Satan has so masterfully saturated the world with an evil false narrative that is thrown in our faces from morning till dark? We need a refreshing and meditative message for a time of dryness and thirst in a world in the midst of spiritual famine. "May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!" - Psalm 72:6 Jesus in this Psalm is likened to rain - the “Life” of John 14:6 which says, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” Jesus truly is the only way, He is perfect truth, and He is the giver and sustainer of life. John 1:4 says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Two men, walking in the country on a Sunday morning from Jerusalem to Emmaus, discussing recent and distressing events concerning Christ, are joined by the risen Christ - God in the flesh, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. Why?

The world is more chaotic because we are in a time in which the world is moving from the denial of God to defiance against God. The Covid hoax would never have been able to last as long as it has if the lies and propaganda had been silenced, and more importantly - if more people would simply look for truth and think. Did Christians sit down during times of crisis in the past and wait for the rapture or just give up assuming it was the end times? How can we change the evil that is happening when so many people are either part of it or go along with it without thinking? "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14

After being contacted by people regarding last week's sermon - "Battling Depression," it seems that depression is an issue many people are struggling with. In this message, we take a look at 2 Samuel 11 which recounts David's sins of adultery and murder, and Psalm 51 which portrays his conviction and repentance. Since sin is the core cause of all human sin and suffering, there is much to learn from Psalm 51 in overcoming depression.

In light of current world events and issues, it seems good to insert the topic of anxiety into this series on Battling Depression. Remember last fall when the government and mainstream news were claiming we were heading into a “Dark Winter” when people (mostly the unvaccinated) would be dying of Covid 19 and all sorts of terrible things would be happening? Well, here we are, moving into spring, and aside from high gas prices and being told that food shortages are coming, we are still living our lives, and the winter was not as we were told to fear it would be. Remember just a few months ago when whoever tried to expose how Covid 19 death counts were being exaggerated and the vaccines were causing harm and death was considered a conspiracy theorist and canceled from mainstream and social media? Now, the CDC is admitting the things that were considered unacceptable to speak of just a short time ago, and studies are confirming the dangers of the vaccines and the efficacy of safe methods of treatment that were previously stifled. The point is - we live in a manufactured reality of lies and corruption. And because the vast majority of what we are told are lies intended to control us through fear, most of what people fear - never ends up happening. The key is to ignore the lies and abide in the truth. And, there is only one perfect eternal truth (John 14:6). "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand" - Philippians 4:4-5

Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living. I would agree with him. Christianity is largely life examined, a life lived mindfully, a life lived purposefully, a life lived with meaning, a life of contemplation and meditation. The dark side knows this and does a very good job of filling the world with distractions, temptations, hectic busyness, amusements, and technology in an effort to keep us from being still and communing with the Lord. In the modern age especially, we must reject the distractions and trappings of the world, become contradictions to it, and shine with the light of Christ. Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." We must slow down, be still, and consider the things of God. By looking in we live out our lives, but we must have some guide and direction, some measure of truth to follow, and that is only found in Christ and his word. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." As the world stumbles along in the dark, what a blessing it is for believers to have our path laid out and lit before us, to know why we walk and where our path is leading. As we consider the topic of battling depression and what we can learn from Psalm 51 in relation to it, consider that even if we are not suffering under the lash of conviction, have not committed a terrible sin; contemplating the blessing of repentance through God’s grace and mercy, his forgiveness, and love, is a wonderful way to soothe our souls and lift our spirits.

How do we live courageously while the world cowers in times like these? "I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." - Psalm16:8 A spirit of boldness and security - “I shall not be shaken”! No more searching and seeking, no more philosophical failures. Instead, a clear path of joy leading to eternal glory. God initiates, regenerates, transforms, gives us new birth from spiritual death, and gives us knowledge and wisdom and light unto life and eternal salvation.

Some very big questions: Why is God’s plan the way it is? Why is there evil in the world? Why the fall of man? Why did Christ have to suffer and die in order to redeem mankind? Since God is all good and He did not prevent the fall it must have been better not to. But how could allowing something so seemingly devastating and in direct opposition to God be better? "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world." - Acts 15:18

It is becoming very clear that thinking – especially critical thinking is quickly disappearing as more and more become obsessively addicted to the mindless false reality of mainstream media and social media. Regarding the effects of mainstream media, ask yourself - are you thinking and living or reacting and surviving? Are you making wise decisions boldly, confidently, and courageously or are you submitting and reacting in fear? So many of life's struggles, depressions, addictions, fears, and anxieties can be overcome when our words, born from the meditations and thoughts of a heart filled with and abiding in the love of Jesus Christ are pleasing and acceptable to Him. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19:14

In times like these, we may wonder how we can make a difference and push back against the darkness with light. How can one person make a difference? What effect for good can we have? What will our legacy be? Will our lives mean anything in an eternal sense? As these parables show, look at God’s creation and you will see the gospel and lessons of the kingdom all around you. Have God’s Word in your heart and you will see it portrayed everywhere. The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven apply personally in our own hearts, in our families, our workplaces, our Churches, our communities, and out into the world.

Notice that in Christ’s ministry His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray - not how to preach, not how to study, not how to minister, not how to heal or work miracles - but how to pray. Ask as a beggar seeking alms, a child in distress, a condemned criminal seeking mercy, as one who sees and hears through eyes and ears that had never seen or heard before, as a new and glorious creature brought from death in sin to life in Christ, as a dearest friend. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7

Because God’s word provides us with absolute and eternal truth, it is easy to know what is right and what is wrong, what is biblical, and what is worldly when it comes to the big divisive moral issues of our time. Homosexuality and gender identity are common sense issues, simple issues to address when considered from a biblical perspective. What does the bible say about homosexuality? What does the bible say about genders? What we see happening in Canada and Australia could happen here in America - if the people allow it. America, like the rest of the western world, has slid into immorality and rebellion against God - the prevalence of abortion alone is enough to nail this point home. The problem and the danger Americans must face is the erroneous belief that a corrupt and broken system of government will be able to fix a corrupt and broken country.

"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." - John 1:16 Why do we allow our own limitations and failings and the influences of the world to hinder the fullness of Christ in us? How much does our opinion or ourselves influence us rather than the will of God? Any hint of works righteousness or self-reliance for salvation will threaten our peace and contentment in Christ. This is a very subtle and sinister issue that I believe all Christians wrestle with to varying degrees. We allow our moods, emotions, and behaviors to influence our faith and belief because our moods, emotions, and behaviors change. But our faith is not in us - it is in Him and He never changes. How many good works have we withheld and offerings have we hoarded because of our lack of faith? Looking at what we have from the view of the world’s economy rather than from the view of God’s economy. So much of the fullness of Christ we don’t even strive for because we strive in the weakness of our flesh. Those in Christ must strive to understand what it means to no longer walk according to the flesh.

"But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned." - Galatians 2:11 The hypocrisy of Peter and Paul’s “In your face” response is a portion of scripture that comes across as a bit shocking to the Christian spirit accustomed to meditating on love, forgiveness, and unity in the faith. Why was Peter being hypocritical and why did Paul oppose him in such a blatant and seemingly public manner? There is a big lesson in this for all believers: will you stay the course when the heat is on and the world is pressuring you to move off of the narrow way? The dark side seems to identify a believer's weak spots and then exploit them at every opportunity.

This is a portion of the Sermon On the Mount - one of my favorite portions of scripture. It sounds far-fetched, but if you consider all that Jesus teaches and commands in the Sermon On the Mount, and imagine it being carried out through all of humanity, you may begin to see the problems of the world could be solved through what Jesus teaches in this one amazing and profound sermon. Discernment in the way we live and interact with others narrows our focus, our choices, and our actions. The longer we walk with Christ, the narrower the path becomes. The longer we walk with Christ, the fewer will walk along with us. Matthew 7:13,14, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

A decision must be made - will you live materialistically or spiritually? To look to the things that are unseen will help clarify and make sense of the things that are seen. Why are the highly strange unseen spiritual events and strange creatures recorded throughout the scriptures mostly ignored? Could it be that deception has caused the Church to not speak more of the highly strange, supernatural, and spiritual happenings that are recorded all through the scriptures? To truly understand the spiritual battle we are called to engage in we must understand the spiritual realm. To understand the spiritual realm we must understand it biblically, from the perspective of the biblical writers, free from the filters of denominationalism, traditions, and creeds that have shaped the thoughts and beliefs of so much of Christianity.

"And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake." - Mark 13:37 What does it mean to be awake in the context of Mark 13:37? - How does a believer stay awake? - How might someone be lulled to sleep? - In these times it is vitally important that believers be awake, aware, and alert. Satan’s lies and manipulations are designed to lull the unwary to sleep. - The sleeping do not think. - The sleeping do not care. - The last year or so is one of the clearest examples we have of the mass of humanity being asleep as they move through their existence without thinking.

So often we think we need to work through the storm, to get to the shore where we think Jesus is. But Jesus delivers us from the midst of the wind and stormy turmoil. The Lord does not help those who help themselves - He helps those who know they cannot help themselves, who have no strength left, and humbly look to Him. The disciples had to endure a tremendous and frightening struggle which the Lord allowed them to experience. The Lord may allow us to experience such dangers so that we see Him more clearly in our deliverance. The lesson was in the storm and struggle. "But he said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.'" John 6:20

If we do not address the core cause and reason of depression we may end up in the worldly habit of moving continually from one self-help method to another, making ourselves feel better for a while, but not growing and maturing and overcoming because we have not dealt with the root of the problem. Sin is the core issue of human pain and suffering and therefore the core issue of depression. Even if an unfortunate person is clinically depressed because of a biological or chemical problem, their depression is still one of the results of the sinful state of the human race. Rather than trying to correct situations, circumstances, and consequences, we should be examining, exposing, confessing, and repenting of the sin which is the root cause of man’s problems, pains, and suffering. Knowing that we as believers are blessed to be covered in the perfect righteousness of Christ should give us courage and humility to shine his light into the hidden corners of our being so that what is contrary to Him may be exposed, confessed, repented of, forgiven and washed away through his blood.

The topic of prosperity, because of its being abused and manipulated by so much of the modern Church, is a topic that is sadly neglected from a genuine biblical perspective. However, just because something biblical has been hi-jacked, does not mean we should abandon it. Rather, it seems important to address it and provide biblical clarity in areas where worldly error has clouded the water. When Jesus refers to Himself as “the truth” in John 14:6, I believe that applies on so many levels. And in the context of today’s message, I believe that if we are truly abiding in Christ, in His word, in His truth, then whatever we do will be based on that truth and will glorify Him. If we prosper, our prosperity will be true and genuine because it will be grounded in truth, and will truly be a joyful blessing without the tainting of the world and human nature. Everyone wants to prosper, but not everyone understands that true prosperity is not measured with dollar signs and decimal points, or the facade of an image. True Prosperity stands in non-conformity to the world’s fleeting, shallow, mindless materialism. "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." - Psalm 1:1-3

To struggle to completely understand the sovereignty of God makes sense because we are seeking to understand the mind of the perfect and holy eternal creator with the mind of a fallen, sinful and finite creature. We will not fully understand God’s sovereignty on this side of heaven, and any understanding that we are blessed with is through the supernatural revealing of the Holy Spirit. Man’s free will does not exist outside of God’s will. God’s sovereignty encompasses all of universal creation. No human has ever made a decision that has been outside of the sovereignty of God. Nothing happens without the ordination of God, because then events would happen at random, and it is very clear all through scripture that God works according to His plan and design. No human in all of time has ever been outside of the stream of God’s eternal plan. Every breath, every heartbeat, every subatomic vibration at the minutest quantum level throughout all eternity has happened within and according to the will, control, design, and plan of God