WTFMT 53 (HGM ON 24 APR 18)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-53

TEXT: "And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." (Exodus 17:12)

 

I. UPON OUR SHOULDERS

 

A. Does the way we look at things will determine whether we fail or succeed. Does our enemies have enough power to cause defeat in our life? No way! Not even the enemy Satan has the power over our life, that God does not allow him.

B. In the wilderness the children of Israel were fighting the Amalekits. At one moment, the Amalekits would be winning. Then, at another moment, there would be a change and the Israelites would be winning. Why? Was it because the power of the enemy was strong at one moment and weak at another moment?

C. No! It was Moses! When he has his hands up, Israel was winning. When his hands dropped, the enemy was winning. "And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:12)

D. It did not depend on God. It did not depend upon the enemy. It depended upon Moses. God has provided all things. Now the question is, how do we relate to all of God's provisions? How do we view the overall circumstances of life in light of God's provisions? Do we look at things as centering upon ourselves, but centering upon God?

E. The provisions and power of God do not determine whether we fail or succeed in our walk with God. His provisions and power are always at hand and without limit. The ability of God to work in and through us is not determining factor in our failure or success.

F. The Believer in the wilderness should not focus on:

1. Himself

2. The enemy

3. What God does for them

4. What God provides for them

G. The Believer should focus on God Himself. If anything in our life is in focus over and above God, we are out of bounds and in danger. Since all things move out from God, then let us have HIM as our focus.

H. As we follow this advice there will be only victory; there will not be defeat. If we find ourselves in a situation which, in our view, is bigger than God, what shall we do? We shall faint! We shall fall. This very situation is the place to which God has brought us for the sake of greater opportunities in Him.

I. But, alas! It becomes our place of failure and defeat. Why? Because God is not our focal point. The fault is not in God. Nor is it in the situation itself. The fault is not in another person; the fault is in us. The failure and defeat are our own doings. Remember, at the heart of every issue is an issue of MY heart.

J. The children of Israel were brought into a situation designed to bring them many blessings. They abode in the Wilderness of Paran. They dwelled in the "glory of God." But, what was their focus, what did they see in it? "Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there." (Numbers 113:28) It seems that they are seeing everything but God. Everything is in the picture but God. The unpleasant situation fills the vision. God is not seen.

K. It reminds me of the disciples counting the loaves of bread, the fish, and the people. "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9) Without counting and counting on HIM there is no answer to the situation.

L. Today most Christians believe that the enemies own and rule everything. There is unbelief as to who owns the land. How often do we hear, "The angels of the Lord! Oh, the angels of the Lord are everywhere around us!" We do not hear that as often as we hear, "Oh, demons are here; demons are there; demons are everywhere!" But, according to the Scriptures, "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." (Psalm 34:7) Most Believers have given the earth to Satan and wicked people. At least this is their faith. But it is not according to the Word of God, "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1)

 

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

 

A. The children of Israel were brought into the Wilderness of Paran for the specific and expressed purpose of going onward to possess the Promised Land. When we are brought into a wilderness by God, we are not brought in to be overcome by circumstances.

B. God has no intention of feeding us to wild beasts. He does not bring us into a wilderness to fail by unbelief, or to faint and die from weariness. God does not make the wilderness a part of our lives to defeat and discourage us. He does not bring us into the wilderness to kill us, as some of the Israelites thought concerning themselves. Our flesh, yes! Our body and spirit, Oh, No! We are brought there to take advantage of the opportunities which God has placed there for us.

WHEN THE CLOUD MOVES

Often there will be times in our walk with the LORD when we do not understand what is moving or why things are moving in a certain direction. Now I will be honest at these times I kind of like serving a God I cannot figure out, but on the other hand the uncertainty of not knowing can be a frustrating (sometimes to some debilitating) emotion in their life. At both times we must push beyond our feelings, our plans, our ambitions, and try to see what God is doing in this situation. Recently I have been making plans for a trip to Nepal to minister to the Nepalese people who are already under the gun, no pun intended. The government is tightening the screws on the Christians and making it very difficult for foreigners to come and share this wondrous Gospel message. If caught converting a Nepalese one could get 18 months in prison which is really a death sentence, Nepalese prisons are notorious for beatings, suicides, and murders. If a foreigner is caught evangelizing they will be arrested and deported within seven days. This holds true for India (much worse) and other parts of South Asia. At the time of this writing we are still planning to go, but God may have another idea. I know the Christian witness of the LORD by the Nepalese people and especially through the radio station Good News FM 105.1 (just upgraded to 500 from 100 watts) is of a far greater value to the LORD than us coming and being a bull in a china shop. Here we must push beyond our feelings and plans to see what God is doing here. Now we could go. We have the money (savings), we have the contact, we have plans in place, but what is God doing? What is God saying? You know it is easy to operate and flow with God when everything works out, but when things do not work out as we have planned and we still feel the LORD is moving then what? After all God wants us to shake the nations for His glory, right? No God wants to shake our heart with His love. We are to go and make disciples of all nations, right? Well no, we are to become a disciple of Christ first and then when He wants things to happen He will make them happen not us. One of the wilderness truths I so enjoy is the cloud that abided over the Children of Israel in the day providing shade and at night a pillar of fire providing warmth. In Exodus we read about the cloud, "And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." (Exodus 13:20-22) Wow God expects night travel! I really like verse 20 they camped at the edge of the wilderness. It almost sounds like God had (He did) to push them into the wilderness. So who is at the edge of the wilderness? God and He will push us in so He can get our attention, so He can train us, so we can learn the lessons He has for us that will enable us to be successful when we come up out of the wilderness. The wilderness is a place we never build a home in only an expedient shelter. If we never go into the wilderness (God's making places) we will never grow up and just stay babes, we will never learn the lessons that will help us move and flow with Him. We will be unschooled, untaught, uneducated to God's ways God does not hold classes in well watered, fruited lands. Oh no my friend God holds school in dry, austere, troubled situations, and circumstance. Problems where we think we will die, but with God's instruction we learn our way through. But what happens when the cloud moves? One thing for sure if in the wilderness you better move with it. The Children of Israel moved, but usually under great protest. It is not about the moving of the cloud, but about our heart condition to the moving of the cloud. If we do not go and do for God it is not about us not going and doing, but more about how we feel about not doing and going? We have these great plans: conferences, crusades, we have spent money, people informed, and we do not go. How do we feel about that? No I really mean it, how do we really feel about that? After all what will our friends say? My friend all of that does not matter. What matters is what is God doing in all of this. The cloud was a visible sign of provision, a wealth of opportunity, and even security. What happens when the cloud dries up? Even a bigger question what happens when God changes direction for our lives? Maybe this thought is for another article, but make no mistake my friend in God a few things are consistent and one of these is change. In God, problems are seldom what we think they are. We blame others for our short comings and failures, but in reality we are the problem. Remember at the heart of every issue is an issue of our heart. In Proverbs we read, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23) The words "issues" here are the good and so called bad things in our lives. No matter what happens in our lives God is looking at our reaction to whatsoever happened have it be what we call bad or even something good. I think it is the good things that happen to us that can get us in more trouble with God. After all good things rarely draw us closer to the LORD. When something good happens often we get a big head, want a pat on the back, and then have trouble get our big head through the door way, but now a good problem . . . well for most Christians that will bring us to our knees. In 2 Corinthians we see Paul has been under the cloud for a price, "It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me." (2 Corinthians 12:3-6) Now many people say it was Paul that was "caught up in the third heaven" or "caught up into paradise," but here Paul says "I knew a man about 14 years ago" plus "And I knew such a man that was caught up in paradise." Odd that Paul used the word "paradise" and not heaven. Jesus had already died and rose from the dead, no more paradise heaven was a reality. Here Paul was talking about two men he knew not himself, however without any question Paul did receive special revelation from God. But the issue was not about the revelation or the "unspeakable words" and things in heaven, but the issue was Paul willing to endure his infirmities (and he had many) to receive the wonderful revelations God had for him. Revelation is God's measuring stick of a man. Revelations are not handed out like candy canes on a Christmas tree they are earned with each scar on our face from the smitter and each humbling by God. Now the cloud moves notice Paul's reaction. Ready read, "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) Even brother Paul wanted the "thorn in the flesh" removed as we all would, but God had a deeper purpose than sticking Paul in the flesh. Now Christians try to figure out what was the "thorn in the flesh." Was it his poor eye sight from his Damascus road experience? Maybe it was some unfulfilled longing in his life for greater companionship, or maybe it was an angel send from the Satan to get him off track no one really knows, but did you know it was NOT about the "thorn in the flesh" is was about Paul's reaction to the "thorn in the flesh." It was about what God was doing with the "thorn in the flesh" in Paul's life. So too in our lives it is not about what we have done (or not done) or what has happened to us now or in the past. It is about our reaction to what we have done (or not done) or what has happened to us in the past. Do we handle it in God as Paul did? Yes, three times Paul prayed (I probably would have prayed more) for God to deliver him from this "thorn in the flesh," but when God says "no" Paul's reaction was, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." Again it is not about the thorn or even the revelation it is about our reactions to the thorns and revelation when the cloud moves and make no mistake my friend the cloud will move God will see to it. Written by David Stahl

THE GOSPEL IS ENOUGH

In The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren (pastor of one of the biggest Southern Baptist Churches in America) said, "today the Bible is not enough to be saved." It is no wonder Rick has evolved/waffled his position on the Bible's view on homosexuality like many other big name speakers (cannot call them preachers) like T. D. Jakes. Deception is progressive just as is salvation. Either we walk in the truth of the word of God and it is enough for salvation or we shall walk in deception mixing other things and as a pastor or leader in a church deception begets deception of the people we lead. I am ever amazed (but I should not be) at how all types of churches use worldly means to try to hook non believers to come to church. Some churches have special services: like homecoming, pastor's appreciation day, family and friends day or they will book a gospel group (that does not sing about the gospel) because they know people would rather be entertained with song and music, be recognized for some great act of service, or will rally together for a great social cause than to sit and hear the word of God. Most churches have failed at presenting a concise, heartfelt and heart directed message of the true word of God so they have to resort to gimmicks, promotions, tricks, and even lies to get people to come to their church. As bad as these are before God that is not the worst part of this charade the worst part of this charade is the pastors and leaders of these churches think they are doing God a big favor in misleading people to come church. Is that what the church has come to in presenting the precious and eternal Gospel message? Is this the picture of most churches today? Paul writes to Timothy, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Sadly I say yes not knowing the difference between the truth and a lie. And why . . . follow the money. Believe it or not the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10) is the root of all evil. Do we really need to represent half truths and parlor tricks to get people to come to church for money and influence? Around Christmas (I still have a hard time with that word) we have Christmas parties and have Santa Claus show up in his red suit and black boots and we say it is for the kids, but in reality we find the pictures taken posted to Facebook accounts of the adults. After all who (no matter the age) does not want to sit on Santa's lap? We sell this misrepresentation of the truth as ministering to the community or an outreach for the kids in the neighborhood, but in reality we are not honest enough to stand for the truth of the word of God and wink our eye a little to have some fun and who knows someone really might come and who knows someone really might hear something that will touch their heart, and who knows someone might really give their heart to the LORD. Well after all we pastors do have reports to send up the chain and we would not want to make our bosses unhappy, why they may even break our rice bowl and move us on. Then where would God be in all of this if we get our walking papers? Not just Christmas (still kind of sticks in my mouth), but over the passion week we have invented a cottage industry of half truths from events taken from the Scriptures in hooking people to come to church instead of using the Gospel message. The word "passion" is used one time in the Scriptures. In Acts we read, "To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" (Acts 1:3) Which means suffering or vexed. (Strong's G#3598) Yet we have our holy week (holy week? I thought God is holy and He wants us to be holy, but a week?) starting with Palm Sunday which has nothing to do with the Gospel message. My friend the glorious Gospel message is found in 1 Corinthians we read, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) I read nothing here about palm branches. Any way the people that cried, "Blessed is he that comes in the name of the LORD" misidentified Jesus as only a prophet and were the same folks that said, "crucify him!" in a few days. I do not want to wave palms and be indentified with them. On Thursday we have Maundy Thursday that remembers the last supper. Yes Jesus and the disciples kept the passover feast (maybe a Thursday), but what does that have to do with the Gospel? Next we have Good Friday. I do not believe Jesus was crucified on Friday, but Wednesday. On Wednesday opinion states that there were two Sabbaths that week. After the first one (the one that occurred on the evening of the crucifixion (Mark 15:42 and Luke 23:52-54), the women purchased spices—note that they made their purchase after the Sabbath (Mark 16:1). The Wednesday view holds that this “Sabbath” was the Passover (see Leviticus 16:29-31, 23:24-32, 39) where high holy days that are not necessarily the seventh day of the week are referred to as the Sabbath). The second Sabbath that week was the normal weekly Sabbath. Note that in Luke 23:56, the women who had purchased spices after the first Sabbath returned and prepared the spices, then “rested on the Sabbath.” The argument states that they could not purchase the spices after the Sabbath, yet prepare those spices before the Sabbath—unless there were two Sabbaths. With the two-Sabbath view, if Christ was crucified on Thursday, then the high holy Sabbath (the Passover) would have begun Thursday at sundown and ended at Friday sundown—at the beginning of the weekly Sabbath or Saturday. Purchasing the spices after the first Sabbath (Passover) would have meant they purchased them on Saturday and were breaking the Sabbath. Therefore, according to the Wednesday viewpoint, the only explanation that does not violate the biblical account of the women and the spices and holds to a literal understanding of Matthew 12:40 is that Christ was crucified on Wednesday. The Sabbath that was a high holy day (Passover) occurred on Thursday, the women purchased spices (after that) on Friday and returned and prepared the spices on the same day, they rested on Saturday which was the weekly Sabbath, then brought the spices to the tomb early Sunday. Jesus was buried near sundown on Wednesday, which began Thursday in the Jewish calendar. Using a Jewish calendar, you have Thursday night (night one), Thursday day (day one), Friday night (night two), Friday day (day two), Saturday night (night three), Saturday day (day three). We do not know exactly what time He rose, but we do know that it was before sunrise on Sunday. He could have risen as early as just after sunset Saturday evening, which began the first day of the week to the Jews. The discovery of the empty tomb was made just at sunrise (Mark 16:2), before it was fully light (John 20:1). But in the grand scheme of things, it is not all that important to know what day of the week Christ was crucified. If it were very important, then God's Word would have clearly communicated the day and timeframe. What is important is that He did die and that He physically, bodily rose from the dead. What is equally important is the reason He died—to take the punishment that all sinners deserve. John 3:16 and 3:36 both proclaim that putting your trust in Him results in eternal life! This is equally true whether He was crucified on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. My friend there was nothing good for Jesus on Friday (if then) he was crucified. It was a painful, horrid beating and slow death that He endured out from His love for us as he willfully went to the cross. Is that not enough? Paul tells us, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:17-18) God sent us to preach as He did Paul not to make up some holy week. The preaching of the cross the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Yet we make up things to try to get people to come to services (I believe) because we really do not believe the Gospel (and the Gospel alone) is the power unto salvation like Rick Warren thinks we need more. Then the crowning jewel in the week of religious activities the Sunday sunrise service. Do we really need to use religion to draw people when we have the Gospel message? Yes in great power Jesus came forth from the grave in victory and great power, the tomb was empty, He is Risen!! Is not that not enough? That is a part of the Gospel!! Then why do we have sunrise services? Do we need to get up before the crack of dawn and remember He has risen from the dead? If so why? Will a sunrise service help you believe more than the Gospel message preached under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit? I think not. And please do not get me started on all of the easter egg hunts and bunny face painting parties churches have, oh that right this is for the kids. How can we mix the truth with a lie? Sadly in reality our religious tricks and gimmicks only nullify the power of the Gospel in the lives of people who the Holy Spirit is drawing. In reality when we hold these services we actually are getting in the way. It is no wonder people are not coming to Christ. If the Gospel is not enough then we are wasting our time. There is no other name than Jesus, there is no other message than the Gospel, whereby people can be saved. In Acts we read, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) That means no mixing Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and presents and Christ. That means no mixing easter bunnies, easter egg hunts, and holy week and Christ. And while I am on a roll why do we kill ourselves and throw money for a week to do vacation Bible School then for the other 51 weeks (ah everyone else is doing it) care little to what happens with the kids? My friend when we add to or take away from the Gospel message by example we are saying the Gospel message is not enough whereby someone can be saved. When we mix such things with Christ it is plainly and painfully evident we do not believe the Gospel message is enough to save one from their sins. Paul said, "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." (Romans 1:16) The question I ask my friend is are you ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? Written by David Stahl