WTFMT 71 (FROM HGM ON 10 DEC 19)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-71 TEXT: "And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab." (Number 25:1)

 

I. DEATH LURKS IN MOAB

 

A. Relationship to the area of Moab breed death. A life lived in fear, unbelief, and defeat not only leads to death, but brings the shadow of death over everyone it touches. Such a life can drag others into the death stream. B. Death, in the context of Moab, is seen in, "And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand." (Numbers 25:9) In application to the spiritual life; one's giving oneself to the spirit of Moab, that is, to the spirit of fear and immorality, is an indication of unbelief which leads to defeat and death.

C. Beyond the area of Moab, any area of the enemies of the cross of Christ, "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:" (Philippians 3:18) can be likewise applied. Certain religious factions are enemies of the cross. Certain "Spirit-filled" Christians are enemies of the cross, refusing and denying death to self and the flesh. This is why we see individuals in the church living defeated lives.

D. This present world's system and philosophy are enemies of the cross. When a believer is influenced toward ungodliness through his relationship with the world we see the results in his defeat; we see his spiritual life ebbing from him.

E. God has put fear and trembling upon His enemies. Fear and trembling have never been meant for the child of God in their negative sense. John in his first epistle writes, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18) Fear is a horrible feeling. Developing a pure relationship with the Lord (in which Jesus is allowed to be the Lord of your life) will do away with this awful fear.

F. There is a direct relationship between a person's lack of dedication to the Lord and the amount of fear existing in his life. In other words, your fear is in ratio to your lack of dedication. If dedication is 40%, fear is then 60%. If dedication is 99%, then fear is 1% and so on. When dedication is complete there is no more fear in the surrendered heart.

G. In God there is no horrifying fear. God has no sense of dread which causes Him a seizure of fearful trembling. God is afraid of nothing, for His power and control are over everything and everyone. "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" (Philippians 2:10)

H. "And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" (Matthew 8:25-27) Was Jesus afraid? The disciples were afraid. Yet both were in the same boat under the same circumstances. In the same danger, the disciples were afraid but Jesus was not. Why?

I. Completeness! Complete love (agape equals dedication) Perfect love relates to perfect trust -- complete, absolute trust! Would they be afraid if they were sitting in God's lap upon His throne? Would you?

J. Because of fear those men of war who left Egypt failed to possess the Promised Land. The giants in the Land were huge and powerful (Numbers 13:31). This was the vision of the soldiers. They did not see God's strength being greater than that of giants. They saw the giants as having the ultimate power and control. Danger filled their vision, danger to them and their families.

K. Often times faith operates contrary to natural sight. Faith doe not depend upon natural agents. Faith trusts God. That which God speaks must be mixed with faith. God told them to go up and possess the Land. But, they feared; they doubted; there was no faith; there was no trust; there was no proper vision; they died in the wilderness. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

 

A. The question tonight is, "Where is our faith?" Jesus asks his disciples' "And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him." (Luke 8:25)

B. The answer to this question reflects the disciples' character and contents of heart. Our answer does also. "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" Jesus asks them in Mark 4:40. Fear eliminates faith.

ARE YOU SAVED

What a powerful question, are you Saved? Of course there are only two people who know the answer to this question and they are God and you. Are you not glad God looks at the heart to answer this question? Man looks at our deeds and listens to our words, but God's focus is on our heart. I am glad God is the final judge of this question because if it was me I would probably put some people I know in hell that should not go. And the other person is you. We know the truth about our self, whether we are saved or not. We know what we do in secret that no one sees except God. We know the truth about our self that nobody knows, but God. A few days ago I heard this guy talk about a letter he received from a lady who asked, how do I really know I am saved and am a Christians. Now I like the word Believer instead of Christian. You know you can be a so called "Christian" and not believe in the death, burial, and resurrection (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Many main stream denominations and religions only believe parts of the Gospel of some not at all. We must be very careful how we use the word "Christian" and not give credence to groups of people that shun the truth of the Word of God. So I like the word "Believers" these are folks that believe the Gospel message and take the Scriptures literally as written. But this guy's reply back to the lady contained four questions. What he was saying is if you can answer yes to three of the questions and yes to the fourth question then you probably are saved, because non saved people do not enjoy engaging in the detailed behavior below. As a matter of fact their behavior is directly opposite from those who consider themselves to be Believers. Okay enough the first question: Do you enjoy being around other people that call themselves Christians and say they are saved? Please notice I did not say who go to church. The writer to the Hebrews tell us, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25) At this time in the history of the New Testament Church they did not have mega-churches, but met house to house or in small groups due to the persecution. I do believe these times will revisit us again. I would think there is more of God's power in operation and manifestation in a small group of Believers than in a large group of Christians. To carry that thought on I would say the bigger the group the less of God's power is in operation. After all the more flesh you get corralled under one roof the tougher time it is to allow the Holy Spirit to put our flesh down. We see this principle all throughout the Scriptures and live today on TV and the internet. Now there are probably some people who go to church you like and some you do not like. You can also find this in a small group setting, but I have found most people who go to church (and not a small group setting as much) go for the wrong reason. Going to a small group setting is more of a deliberate desire because it will require more of self participation, less people to hide among. But what is important is the reason we gather together as Believers not to receive a blessing, but to be a blessing. It is not about the gathering, the music, times of fellowship, or the programs that minister to the heart of man, but the Holy Spirit. Our focus must alway be on Christ and what He has done for us on the cross and out from that the ministering power of the Holy Spirit can touch our heart and mind giving us revelation as we hear the Scriptures come alive in our hearts. If you do not like gathering with Believers then you are probably not saved. Question number two: Do you enjoy praying? Here are some practical precepts found in the Believer's life, "Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:15-22) Here Paul again teaches the Church at Thessalonica practical principles for daily living that will enable them to be successful in their walk with Him. Now prayer is so much more than what we call prayer today. Prayer is something we use to get things from God or something we use to twist God's arm to get Him to do something for us, but my friend that is not prayer. Prayer must begin with God, it must be birthed by the Holy Spirit or you are not praying you are just speaking into the wind. Prayer is not something that was written 200 years ago by some great guy, but it must be alive and heartfelt that melts our heart into a mush of compassion and dedication. It is something we use to reach out and touch the heart of God to satisfy our longing and needs. If you do not enjoy praying then you probably are not saved. Question number three: Do you enjoy studying the Bible? Notice I did not say read the Bible I said study the Bible. There is a huge difference between reading something and studying something. in 2 Timothy Paul commanded Timothy to, "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:14-16) Now Timothy did not have the New Testament as we do to study, it was the Old Testament as we know it. We today have both the Old and New Testament to study, but statistically speaking the average Christian spends less than 5 minutes a day reading the Bible and rarely thinks about studying it. Wow the love letter from God for reproof and correction, for exaltation and edification for wisdom and history sits on most coffee tables as a fixture to be seen and seldom touched, maybe to wipe off the dust when another Christian comes over. If you do not like studying the Bible then you probably are not saved. And the final question number four: Are you guided or led by the Holy Spirit. Most definitely if you did not answer yes to this question then you are not saved, you are lost in your sin, and on the road to Hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire with the Devil and His Angels. John tells us in the Book of Revelations, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14-15). But those people who are led or guided by the Holy Spirit, "they are the sons of God." Paul helps us here, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, where by we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" (Romans 8:14-16) The sign that tells the Believer that they are a son of God is they are guided or led by the Holy Spirit. Because the Spirit of God will "bear witness" with our spirit. This too is how we will know we are saved, the Spirit of God will not bear witness or communicate to our spirit we will know without a shadow of doubt we are not saved and need to correct our behavior before it is too late. The person who is not led by the Holy Spirit is not and cannot be saved unless there is a change in their heart. Are you saved? Written by David Stahl