Tag: sin

Standing Strong, Political or Spiritual? Part 3

Isaiah 10:1-5
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

As we continue our study into spiritual warfare, let us begin with God’s message in Isaiah 10.  It is important that we understand that God has always used the unjust to judge his people when they forsake Him.  It has never changed, even with His church.  Let’s look at these verses as a way of introduction for today’s message.

  1. A woe is pronounced – against unrighteous decrees.
  2. False judgements will be the norm. – courts will begin to exalt the criminal at the expense of the lowly victim.
  3. Without Him the evil man takes charge.
  4. NOTE: The rod of my anger – God uses other nations to discipline His own people. His anger was at His own people. He used the unrighteous to judge the righteous.

Parallel this with today’s church and our nation.  There is spiritual wickedness in high places both in the church and in the government. The church was once the light on a hill here in our country.  It stood for that which was right and holy and pure.  Our government once stood upon righteous principles and governed based upon God’s holy word,  Both in the church and in our nation, imperfect men ruled based on a perfect book.  What we see today is far removed from the righteousness of the past. 

Acts 9:1-6 –   And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

  1. There is an instant transformation to those who come to Christ.
  2. An encounter with Jesus Christ will change you.
  3. A true encounter with Jesus Christ will change your direction. II Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
  4. God loved Paul just the way he was, but loved Him too much to leave him the way he was.
  5. God does not save you to leave you to sin. He saved you to deliver you from your sin. John 8:10-12 – 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
  6. Our attitude toward the sinner should never be one of acceptance of their sinfulness, but compassion toward their condition. We should love them enough to share God’s glorious truth. Salvation does not only change one’s eternal destination, but it also changes one’s attitudes, actions, and desires while here. “LORD, WHAT WILL YOU HAVE ME TO DO!”

Hard look at Romans 1

  1. The concept of servanthood is of utmost importance. Romans 1:1 – Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
    a. Christianity is all about serving.
    b. Christianity is all about sharing the good news. We are set apart for a purpose. Separated means to be removed from one thing and joined to another. We are removed from Sin and joined to Jesus Christ.
    c. All Christian share the same purpose – Make Jesus known.
    d. How can we make Him known if we condone the sinfulness of man?
  2. Our faith should be spoken of. – Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
    a. How is your faith spoken of where you work?
    b. How is your faith spoken of at home?
    c. How is your faith spoken of at church?
  3. Faith means I am depending on someone to do what I cannot do.
  4. We owe the unsaved a huge debt. – Romans 1:14-15 – I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
  5. We are the way God has chosen to share the message of Salvation with the Lost.

I Peter 2:1-11 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

  • We are to lay aside the ways of the world.
  • We are to desire the teaching of His word.
  • We are priests – holy, sacrificial, and accepted by God.
  • He is precious – I wonder how precious He is to the church today.
  • We are light called out of darkness.

II Corinthians 6:14-18 – Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We are to abstain from that which will lead us back to the sin that had so entrapped our soul. 

The fall of Christianity in America Today 

The Problem

Judges 2:6-15   And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.7  And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.8  And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.9  And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.10  And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.11  And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:12  And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.13  And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.14  And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.15  Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.

  • God’s people forgot.
  • God’s people raised a generation that did not even know God.
  • That generation worshiped the gods of this world, not the God of heaven.
  • God brought judgement to His people.

Romans 1: 16-32 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;9   Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:21  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.22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.4  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

  • The church today has mishandled the word of God.
  • The church today has forgotten who the glory belongs to.
  • The church today has changed God’s word into something it is not.
  • The church today has turned to the gods of this world.
  • The church today has turned to the world for counsel, not to God’s word.
  • “Christians” put more trust in man then they do in God.
  • Judgement must begin at the house of God.

I Peter 4:16-17 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

8. People today do not know who God is.– Paul says SHAME ON US.

1 Corinthians 15:31-34 – I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame

  1. The church today has brought the ways of the world into the house of God.

1 Corinthians 5:6-13 – Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.1 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

• The church has accepted the evil of the world as OK and has not stood against the sinfulness of man, but has indeed embraced it.
• It started out with little compromises, UNDERSTAND SOMETHING – A LITTLE COMPROMISE TURNS INTO A FORSAKING OF TRUTH.
• We are not to embrace the sinful lifestyle of men, but we are to PUT IT OUT OF THE MIDST


10 . Churches have chosen appeasement pastors over “thus saith the Lord”
pastors.

2 Peter 2:1-9 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there 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.2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2 Peter 2:18-22 – For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Temptation, the predecessor of all sin, part two

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.                                             - I Corinthians 10:12-14

As we continue our study on temptation we are going to focus on this universal fact: everyone must deal with temptation. No one is immune to it and it is going to affect you. We will fully examine this in more detail and learn better how to deal with it.

your temptation is not unique to you.

  • Each temptation is common
  • Each individual is unique.
  • Satan knows your weakness.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1

Beset – skillfully surrounds you

  • Gluttony
  • Lust
  • Gossip
  • Anger
  • Deceitfulness
  • critical spirit

Your temptation will usually be in your area of weakness.
Your area of weakness is not unique to you. I Corinthians 10:13 –
Truth (God’s Word) is our way out

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:31-32

the lies we follow.

  • I just cannot help myself.
  • it runs in the family.
  • it is what I have always done.
  • the devil made me do it.
  • I am strong enough to overcome it myself.
  • it is God’s fault. He allowed it to happen
  • I prayed, but that did not work.
  • I cannot be perfect
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

Stop worrying and start waiting on him.

Psalm 46:6-11  The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8  Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9  He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.11  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

I Corinthians 2:1-5  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

the truth about your temptation

  • It is not unique to just you.
  • It is based on a lie from Satan.
  • The truth is what gives you the power to say no.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Temptations are limited and not allowed to be stronger than your ability to resist.

  • God is faithful
  • You have the ability to overcome it.
  • Reminder – Temptation comes from Satan, the solution comes from God
James 1:13-22  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16  Do not err, my beloved brethren.17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

God does not hide when you are faced with temptation. – The opposite is true.

  • He comes near to you.
  • He gives you the way out.
  • He is still there.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
II Timothy 3:11-17   Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
  • Your temptation does not make God angry with you.
  • God says to the temptation – you cannot cross this line.
  • Satan’s abilities are limited by God. (Read Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6; 1:21-22)

God limits my temptation to my ability, not to yours.

  • You have God’s full attention when temptation comes.
  • God does not automatically increase your strength.
  • God does enable you through obedience to His word.
Psalm 119:10-12 - With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Psalm 119:10-12
verse 12   Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

Your abilities are tied to your current circumstances.

Life’s situations can determine your severity of temptation – REMINDER – GOD WILL ALWAYS MAKE A WAY OF ESCAPE.

Draw on His compassion and mercy!

Lamentations 3:18-26 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: 19  Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.20  My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.21 ¶  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Temptation, The Predecessor of all Sin

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

I Corinthians 10:12-14

Temptation is Satan’s tool to lead us into sin, and it is a highly effective tool. He uses it to lead us from holiness to unholiness and righteousness to unrighteousness. Anyone who says they are never tempted is a liar and they are deceiving themselves.

Temptation is the primary reason we desire to sin.

Genesis 3:1-6   Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5  For 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. 6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

All sin is preceded by a temptation that has overcome you.

EVE

  • You will not surely die – temptation deals with a known truth that is in opposition to sin. It minimizes the danger of sin and maximizes the imagined benefits.
  • Attacks the character of God – your eyes will be open – breeds doubt about the word and character of God.
  • All temptation is based on at least one massive lie – you will be like gods
  • Temptation always incites lust to know and experience evil – you will know good and evil

Without temptation, you would never have a desire to sin

Temptation is extremely dangerous when on thinks they cannot fall into sin.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
I Corinthians 10:12

Understand, any of us can fall into any sin at any moment.

– Satan is aware of this!

Pride will always lead to a fall

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19   Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. – Proverbs 16:18-19

  • Destruction always accompanies pride.
  • Arrogance about sin is pride – be careful how to look at Others who have fallen into sin
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.;
Matthew 26:41

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation

Jesus in Luke 22:40

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: -II Peter 2:7-9

  • An active prayer life is key to defeating temptation

Temptation seeks to overcome you.

I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

  • Even while doing spiritual activities, temptation can overcome you.
  • They come and overtake you – they take control, grasp, the control to use you
  • They attempt to hold you down until you sin.
  • Temptation only exists until you yield to the sin – the sin brings guilt, shame, defeat, feelings of inferiority, separation, fear
  • Temptation is defeated when we resist and do not yield.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:7-10

Jonah, part 2

Jonah 1:1-4

1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2  Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3  But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.4   But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

Jonah demonstrates the patience of AlMighty God

Jonah went in the opposite direction

Jonah fled “from” the “presence” of God –

Psalm 139:7 – 10

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

No matter what, he could not escape God’s presence

Jonah resigned, but God refused to accept the resignation

  1. Jonah thought telling God no was the end of it
  2. Jonah wanted to stop preaching
  3. He found comfort in his backslidden condition

The problem with sin is that we can find it enjoyable

We often believe if we say no God will change His mind.

Even in His backslidden condition God was still faithful

Romans 8:28-32 – 28 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29   For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstbornamong many brethren. 30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31   What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

God loves you and me too much to just leave us in that condition.

What is it that leads to a backslidden condition?

A wrong attitude about sin –

Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.

  1. My sin does not affect anyone else
  2. I am saved, so I am safe
  3. God will understand my sinfulness, after all, I am only human
  4. The truth is, your sin does affect others. The lost, younger believers, relationships, eternity

A wrong attitude to who is in charge

He thought he had a better idea

Proverbs 16:17-20

  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18   Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19   Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20   He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

Matthew 23:11-12

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:14  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. James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble

  1. Pride will always lead down
  2. The result of pride is always destructive
  3. The result of pride will always be a fall
  4. The result of our pride will always affect others
  5. Pride is me depending upon my own efforts, not HIS
  6. Pride is me taking credit for the results and not giving Him the glory

A wrong attitude to having a constant testimony

You are always constantly testifying for God or against God- there is no middle ground

Matthew 6:24-25 

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

You cannot turn your Christianity off and on when it suits you –

Matthew 10:32-34

  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

A wrong attitude toward those who are lost

Jonah saw the lost as the enemy, not a mission field

Matthew 6:27-36 – 27  

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29  And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30  Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31  And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32  For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

  1. We are to love them
  2. We are to treat them as we would want to be treated
  3. We are to show them mercy
  4. We are to put them ahead of ourselves – Philippians 2:3 
  5. We should desire to see all come to Christ –
II 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.

We are rewarded when we take them the gospel