WTFMT 78 (FROM HGM ON 28 JUL 20)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-78 TEXT: "And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba." (Genesis 21:14)

 

I. INTRODUCTION

 

A. Over the past we have looks at 7 divinely arranged spiritual wildernesses that have been designed by God to personally teach us lessons about His character and nature. The benefits of these wildernesses are only for those who have received the lessons in the heart and spirit. All others have wasted their time and energy.

B. In way of review I would like to use a wilderness (number 8 = new beginning) we did not discuss. But the lessons contained will serve as a great overview of the lessons God tried to share with the Children of Israel. This wilderness is the Wilderness of Beersheba.

C. The Wilderness of Beersheba relates to the Christian life in many ways. For Hagar it was a place of wandering. She lost her way. Trying to make it through, she spent her resources. It was not because of disobedience upon her part that would be another story. She simply did not know where she was nor how to find her way out. It was part of her lot in life. It was to be a means of fulfillment. And so it is in the Christian's life. Wandering is the first of many aspects encountered that teach us many lessons.

D. The wandering is designed to bring one to the realization of their inadequacies and that they have no clear and certain direction apart from God. Wandering is worth the trouble if it can bring such revelation. This wandering can relate to the unbeliever. He is without the salvation provided by Christ and without an inclination to follow the Lord. But the wandering also relates to the believer, one who has been trusting in the Lord, at least in some areas.

E. Wandering in God leads to discovery and life. Wandering outside of God leads to more wandering and death. The Children of Israel wandered and wandered from one wilderness to the next. Some wandered and discovered the "hidden riches" and provisions of God. Provision of God must be discovered. They are secret, hidden not laying on the ground for just anyone to have. "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." (Isaiah 45:3)

F. Like all wildernesses Beersheba is a classroom in which the Lord attempts to teach the wander. The "secret places" are in the darkness of wandering, not knowing where to go or which way to turn. In the darkness and stillness of knowing Him is where we can hear Him call us by name.

G. The first truth to be discovered in this classroom is in Jeremiah. "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jeremiah 10:23) Wandering brings us to the end of ourselves, to the end of our abilities, and strength. If we do not discover this truth we will never move in the directives of God. Unless we allow God to direct our steps we will continue to wander and wander never coming to the discovery of His riches.

H. The second truth to be discovered is in John. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5) Oh how we try to do things. But when it is all said and done, we can do nothing. Unless we discover where our strength really comes from we will continue to expend our energy doing nothing. For some this can be a good thing for not until we come to the end of our strength and see the need for God's strength can God then take over.

I. Even Jesus discovered this truth. "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." (John 8:28) Where do you think Jesus discovered this truth? From His Father who hath taught Him. We will never discover truth unless we are shown where to look, they are hidden in secret places.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

 

A. Like Jesus we are to be taught by the Father. Man (pastors, teachers, and preachers) have their part to play, but real truth and understanding can only be discovered BY the revelation of Jesus Christ. "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:12) The revelation of who Jesus Christ is. His power, His strength, His faithfulness, His forgiveness, and yes, His love!

B. These hidden treasures are discovered as we are taught by God in the wilderness, His classrooms. "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." (John 6:45)

2 C. In review, the Children of Israel wandered and wandered. Wandering leads us to discovery. Those that discovered the hidden treasures in God lived and those who did not died. Today the same hidden treasures are before us waiting to be found. The truth is God gave us His Holy Spirit to show us where they are and how to use them to our benefit.

WTFMT 77 (FROM HGM ON 14 JUL 20)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-77

TEXT: "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:" (Colossians 3:5-6)

I. OUR SALVATION

 

A. We have enough written in the Bible and particularly in the New Testament to guide us away from loss and fruitlessness. Specifically, this is what the apostle Paul was sharing with the Colossian Church.

B. Today man substitutes for God takes forms other than metal or wooden figures. Self can take God's place. We can go our own ways, wanting our own things. In this, we are moving and living in the Wilderness of Bethaven, regressing further and further away from God, until our disobedience and sin results in death. "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:15) This is a spiritual principle. Just as much as our salvation is a spiritual principle based on our obedience to the draw on the LORD.

C. God has called us to move onward, ever onward, and into victory. He has never called us directed us nor led us to the Wilderness of Bethaven. But in spite of this I do not know if a Believer who has never had the Wilderness of Bethaven in their life.

D. At one time or the other in our Christian walk most if not all have stepped back from God. The sooner one recovers from backward regression the better. Then they can begin to move forward once again. But they must not be returning again and again to Bethaven the door leading away from their inheritance and into death. The more time one spends in Bethaven the greater the detriment to their life. They may die there, both spiritually and physically.

E. Perhaps we have known workers in the Gospel preachers and others in their heyday. Then something happened and they began to lose their relationship with God and started to move backward. The outward manifestation is from the inward loss that has been taken place for a while. Backsliding is a process that does not happen suddenly.

F. This can be seen time and time again in the Bible, as well as on today's stage of life. Samson, David, and even David's son Solomon, "And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places." (I Kings 3:3) But, in time, "And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice," (I Kings 11:9) This seems to be the disastrous pattern in some lives. The names and scenery may differ, but the root of the matter is always the same: turning from God in their hearts. At the heart of the matter is ALWAYS a matter of the heart.

H. There is another pattern in certain lives. There is a faithful plodding forward not without mishaps, not without falling. "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." (Proverbs 24:16) Thus, forward progress is maintained as long as we again rise up in repentance to serve the Lord.

I. Progress into God can come to a point where the soul is established, where no desire can be stirred within that soul to turn from Him. I have meet only a few. Spiritual height is gained where there is an unusually close relationship with the Lord.

J. But there is a danger in this. If the danger does not exist at the height to which I just referred it certainly exists somewhere near it. The soul may feel no further spiritual needs. There may be the sense that one has arrived and all is well and will forever be well.

K. Satisfaction sets in, satisfaction and contentment with one's particular position and condition. No longer does it become necessary to seek the LORD. The soul has lost its sense of need. This is dangerous, since we will always be in need of God and His provisions. King Uzziah sought, "And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper." (2 Chronicles 26:5) But, then in his own strength his heart was lifted up, "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense." (2 Chronicles 26:16) And so Uzziah began on this Bethaven business and backed down from God. He became leprous, (2 Chronicles 26:21) and indication of the true state of his heart.

L. Spiritual giants are seen and know in our day. They have their heyday and then seem to decline. When such conditions such as those in our text and others follow a high point in God I have seen no recovery. There may be repentance, but recovery seems to be out of the question.

M. Certainly Judas repented, (took the money back) but did not recover. Esau repented and did not recover his birth right and blessing. Moses was sorry he struck the rock, but there was no recovery he still could not lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

N. There never seems to be a getting back to a particular height in God once a particular low is subsequently reached. Therefore never start toward Bethaven if you can help it. If you do find yourself in Bethaven don't go any further get back to God immediately.

 

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

 

A. To every danger factor is our relationship with God there is a safety factor. For this occasion the safety factor is a tender heart. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalms 51:17)

B. God can always move a tender and humble heart. If you do not have such a heart ask God to create it in you. (Psalms 51:10) Once you have it always keep it. Then if you ever go out the back door of Bethaven the LORD can reach you before you get to far in the wilderness.

C. Like butter you will melt under the heat of His dealing. Be so submissive, so broken before Him, so tenderhearted that He can successfully correct you at any time in any situation. This will keep you on a forward progression. Never continue in disobedience. Do not ever continue in any type of deceit or wrong doing. Always be willing for God's correction.

LOVE YOUR WIFE

In Ephesians 5:21 Paul lays out one of the greatest joys in my life and that is submit myself to my wife as she submits to me. Paul teaches married couples, "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (Ephesians 5:21) But there seems to be not much of "the fear of God" these days. But, oh how I love my wife, Karen! I always say I am married to the best woman in the world. (every husband should say that) How could I not say that after she has faithfully gave me over 40 years of devoted loving service and commitment? How could not say I am married to the best woman in the world when she has entered the shadow of death four times bearing our wonderful children? How could I not say she is the best woman in the world as she cares for me (and I care for her) as we both fall into the ground year by year? Now it is important to know only spiritual people can submit to each other. Submission is not an action of the will or even servanthood, but an action of the heart and it is spiritual. This is why only spiritual people can submit. Non spiritual people are selfish, ambitious, arrogant, and self-centered wanting things their way. "I want what I want and if I do not get it then I will get my pound of flesh." I have seen this all of my life. Christian couples of all ages, married for many years, some with kids some not with kids, but there is no submission by either the husband or the wife, or both. A Godly marriage requires both the husband and the wife to submit to each other. Wow that is a real revelation to some Christian couples. What we most often see is the wife serving (maybe as a slave) under the hard hand of the husband enduring his commands as he recites, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." (Ephesians 5:22) I feel so bad for these ladies, but at the same time I am proud of their heart condition towards the word of God and their love for their husband in spite of their husband being dead wrong. On the other hand we often see where the roles are reversed. The husband's headship has been usurped (spawn by the spirit of Eve and/or Jezebel of this age) and he has been pulled out of his place of spiritual authority by his rebellious wife. Of the two examples the second (the man usurped by the wife) is far more dangerous to what God has joined together. Samuel told King Saul (even though not a marriage arrangement the concept is the same) rebellion before God (no matter who does it) is as the sin of witchcraft, a very serious charge before God indeed. In I Samuel we read, "Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." (1 Samuel 15:22-23) One thing for sure God ALWAYS judges rebellion. Rebellion no matter the form or function always leads to God's judgment not His mercy. How many homes have suffered devastating things: infidelity, extreme relationship issues, separation, divorce, and so much more (all because of not lining up with what God has established in His word) out from the rebellion of the husband or the wife? All the while the husband is being browbeat and pummeled as he wrongly misapplies and recites, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" (Ephesians 5:25) While in Romania last year (and is the genesis of this article from an email of thanks I received lately) I had the opportunity to share these verses in Ephesians with the leaders of the weekly cell group and other married couples of a wonderful Pentecostal Church. Afterwards the wives and the husbands thanked me for helping set their marriages in order. Paul was not telling the husband to be a door mat "giving himself as Christ loved the church" as a servant laying his life down for his wife and family, but was showing couples at the Church at Ephesus how Christ gave Himself to the Church as He provided leadership, guidance, direction, and the love required for the submitting to His wife (the Bride) "the elect" who will come out of the present day "church." When a husband incorrectly operates under this misapplication of truth (by willfully stepping out of this place of authority) in the Scripture he is stepping out of the established spiritual authority God has ordained since time eternal. This my friend is a big big deal to God, but most couples ignore the truth of this verse because they enjoy the manipulation and control the misapplication of the truth affords. Again I can name many couples all over the world that take this verse and yoke their spouse into submission instead of love. In the past Karen touched on this thought and I would like to share some of what she wrote, "Is there anything more useless then a man who hasn't been taught by his parents to trim a lousy bush or mow the yard? How sad. In another vein is there anything more pathetic then a man who waits on his wife when she comes home from work and he's worked all day too? He's the one doing all the domestic chores and she well, I don't know what she's doing besides being rebellious and wanting her way. This should not be. Now this is not to suggest a man can't bring his wife a cup of joe (coffee), a snack from the kitchen, even cook dinner, or do dishes. I'm not saying that, but the dynamics here is all wrong, if he's waiting hand and foot on the wife, something's wrong, very wrong and NO the husband is NOT laying his life down by being a doormat and shirking his role as the spiritual leader of the home. This is wrong thinking. In Ephesians Paul tell us, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" (Ephesians 5:22-25) Paul in these verses is not talking about husbands following their wives, just the opposite. Remember Jesus did not follow the disciples they followed Him. This is the correct spiritual order. Paul is talking about the husband providing a loving and nurturing leadership for the wife and the entire family. As Christ leads the church so too the husband is to lead the wife and family. Just a few verses we see the depth of this leadership the husband is to provide, "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:" (Ephesians 5:28-29) Again it is about leadership not about laying your life down for your wife in serving her. The husband is to love his wife as his self and we all know no one loves us more than ourselves. Christ is the head of the home, then the husband then the wife, then any children. The Bible is quite clear on order in the home. I suggest those whose toes I stepped on should pick up the Bible and see for themselves. If the spiritual authority order is messed up in the home little else will be right in that home and those decisions made in and out of the home will too be in confusion and rebellion. A word about kids. As the High Priest of my home I have learned when we do not provide love, leadership, direction, discipline, and guidance, etc. (all of the qualities God is looking for in us as a leader) for our kids we do not love them. As a matter of fact we make monsters, we maim them, and make them an emotional cripple. One thing I learned when we had kids (we got some good kids and good grand kids, which happened not by accident) and when they would do wrong I would think, "I will give them grace and not discipline or correct them," but God quickly taught me if He did not discipline or correct me then He does not love me. The writer to the Hebrews says, "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." (Hebrews 12:5-8) Yes we all (especially me) need His discipline and correction to grow spiritually and if I did not correct my kids (and grandkids when given the opportunity) even at a young age then all I can expect is rebellion at all ages, but if I remember the word of God that says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod (wooden or metal staff for fighting, working, etc.) of correction shall drive it far from him." (Proverbs 22:15) then I know there will be hope for ages to come. It all starts by lining up with God's word. The husband following Christ as head of the home in turn is able and only then can he love and submit to his wife in a Godly fashion. As the husband fulfills his spiritual responsibility and duty as head of the home and as the wife and kids provide mutual love, support, and obedience to the husband (in reality providing love, support, and obedience to God) can the home be a place of spiritual growth and development. Anything else will end in loss no matter what dream job you have, how big your house is, or how many cars are parked in your drive way. This is the environment God has ordained, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:5) You know many younger Christians say this concept of spiritual authority is old fashion, not keeping up with modern times and the secular practices of modern Christianity. The wife is not led by the husband it is a 50 50 relationship, well to them I say, "crack open your Bible and ask God what He thinks." Now you must be honest in your heart if you expect a reply. His answer may save your marriage. Correct spiritual authority in the home is the good ground for spiritual learning which is found only in the right order and relationship between God, the husband, and the wife who the husband is to love, but not idolize or worship. Written by David Stahl