OceanSide church of Christ

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WHY WE NEED THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD

To Stand Against Some Things

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     We began a series of lessons at the close of last year involving our need to be strong.

 

B.      Last week, we introduced this thought:  “Why We Need to be Strong.”

1.        We noted that we need to be strong in order to do some things:  to serve, to be faithful, and to endure.

2.       In this lesson, we want to consider this topic:  We Need the Strength of the Lord to Stand Against Some Things.”

 

C.     This was Paul’s point in Ephesians 6:10-11.

 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 

1.        The word “wiles” comes from the Greek word “methodia” from which we get the word “method.”  It involves the craftiness and trickery and methods of the evil one.

2.       Paul tells us to use the strength of the Lord to “stand against” these things. 

a.       That little word “against” in interesting too.  It means “to stand near,” to stand toward,” and “to stand forward to.” 

b.       The picture is that a one who is leaning toward the enemy.

1)       There is courage.

2)      There is resolve.

3)       There is expectation of victory.

c.       The picture is true because we are facing the enemy, not with our own strength, but with the power of “his,” the Lord’s, might.

 

D.     What are some of the things we need to use the Lord’s strength to stand against?

 

I.             THE ADVERSARIES OF GOD

 

A.     It is difficult for Christians to imagine that there are people who

1.        Do not believe in God.

2.       Hate God

3.        Will do everything they can do to combat God.

4.       NOTE:  It has been said that it is a little foolish for someone to fight against something that he/she does not even believe to exist.

 

B.      Recently, I purchased a book entitled, Letter to a Christian Nation, by Sam Harris.  In the opening pages is a “Note to the Reader.”  He sets forth his purposes therein.

1.        “The primary purpose of this book is to arm secularists in our society, who believe that religion should be kept out of public policy, against their opponents on the Christian right” (p. viii).

2.       On page ix, he continues:  “In Letter to a Christian Nation, I have set out to demolish the intellectual and moral pretentions of Christianity in its most committed forms.”

3.        NOTE:  Mr. Harris wants to rid our society of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and Christianity. 

 

C.     You and I as followers of Christ must arm ourselves in such a way that we can “stand against” such individuals. 

1.        This will take dedication of time and study on our part, but the answers to such people are there.

2.       Paul tells us that these enemies are not as wise as they seem.  In fact, Paul refers to them as fools (Rom. 1:21-23).

 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

 

II.           FALSE TEACHERS

 

A.     For some reason, men want to reject truth and proclaim that which is false.

 

B.      In 2 Timothy 2:17-18, Paul names two men who had rejected the truth, Hymeneus and Philetus.

 

And their word will eat as doth a canker:  of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

 

C.     False teachers exist in two places:  in the world and in the church.

1.        John tells us that many exist (1 John 4:1).

 

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

 

2.       Peter reveals that many will follow these false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1-2).

 

But there were false prophets among the people, even as they shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

 

D.     Paul tells us that these false teachers need to be marked and avoided (Rom. 16:17).

 

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

 

III.         INTERNAL BATTLES

 

A.     There are times our battles are from within.  By this, we do not mean within the church.  They are battles within ourselves.

 

B.      Types:

1.        Unbelief

2.       Indifference

3.        Pride

4.       Complacency

5.        Anger

6.       Revenge

7.       Slothfulness

 

C.     These battles are dangerous because we can still go through the outward motions of the Christian life such as worship and prayer and being a teacher, but these things erode us from within.  Thus, the Bible warns us against these things.

1.        Romans 12:11

 

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

2.       1 Corinthians 10:12

 

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

 

3.        Hebrews 3:12

 

Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

 

D.     We have to stand against these things.  In I Corinthians 10:12 and in Hebrews 3:12, two words are used that we must put in practice.  We must “take heed.”

1.        Only by taking heed to these things can we fight them.

2.       Only by fighting them can we be victorious over them.

3.        If we do not fight them, we will fall victim to them.

4.       Falling victim to them means that we can lose our souls.

a.       The church at Sardis was dead and needed to repent (Rev. 3:1-3).

b.       The church Laodicea was lukewarm and needed to heed the rebuke of the Lord and repent (Rev. 3:16-17, 19).

 

IV.         TEMPTATION

 

A.     Temptation is another evil we must stand against.

 

B.      One of the lines from the Lord’s model prayer is:  “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” (Matt. 6:13).

 

C.     Temptation is a tough battle for several reasons.

1.        It involves our deep yearnings and desires (Jms. 1:14).

2.       Often temptation presents itself as being harmless (Gen. 3:6).

3.        There are times when we know that no one will know that we have yielded to temptation (Judg. 14:8-9).

 

D.     Temptation, however, leads to sin.  And sin when it is finished brings forth death (Jms. 1:15).

 

E.      Paul told Timothy:  “Flee also youthful lusts…” (2 Tim. 2:22).

1.        The battle begins when our lusts are in their early stages.

2.       If we allow them to mature, we will commit sin.

3.        This is where David erred.

a.       Initially, David “saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon” (2 Sam. 11:2).  Had David dismissed his thoughts immediately, no sin would have been committed.

b.       Verse 3, reads, however:  “And David sent and inquired after the woman…”  David allowed his lusts to fester.

c.       “And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her…” (2 Sam. 11:4).

4.       Proverbs 4:13-15

 

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go:  keep her; for she is thy life.  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

 

V.           HIGH PRESSURE DEMANDS

 

A.     Another thing that we must stand against involves the high pressure demands of life.

1.        Family

2.       Job

3.        School

4.       Success

5.        Pleasure

6.       Profit

7.       “Reputation”

 

B.      These things will put pressure on us to choose between them and God, between them and our service to God.

1.        It is just one time.

2.       The Lord will understand.

3.        This may be my only opportunity.

4.       There is no harm in this.

5.        There will be plenty of opportunities for God.

6.       This is not evil; it is as innocent as it gets.

7.       God would not have given me this opportunity if He did not want me to take it.

 

C.     High pressure demands are spiritual tests that are set before us:

1.        Tests of faith (Heb. 11:30)

2.       Tests of love (Matt. 22:37-38)

3.        Tests of priorities (Matt. 6:33)

4.       Tests of loyalties (Heb. 11:17)

5.        Tests of commitment (Jms. 5:11)

6.       Tests of humility (1 Sam. 15:17)

 

D.     We have to stand against high pressure demands and yield ourselves to the will of God:  Joseph, Moses, Daniel, the three Hebrew youths, Peter and John (See Acts 5:29).

 

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Standing against things is not easy.  Fear often swells within the heart and tempts us to be quiet or run.

 

B.      This is why we need the strength of the Lord.  God will give us the might to prevail over every evil encounter.

1.        God’s power conquers enemies.

2.       God’s power destroys nations.

3.        God’s power restricts nature.

4.       God’s power causes the devil to flee.

5.        God’s power rescues, saves, and redeems.

 

C.     Paul prayed for the Ephesians. 

1.        He said that he wanted God to “give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (Eph. 1:17). 

2.       This knowledge would cause them to comprehend “what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Eph. 1:19).

3.        The prayer Paul made for the saints in Ephesus is the same prayer we make for every member of the church at OceanSide.