Weathering the Storms of Life: Part 2a

Last week we covered the first installment of the series weathering the storms of life. There were 3 main points that were covered, but the point that stood out most to me was that in the midst of the storm, we are instructed from the letter written by James to ask for wisdom.

I attempted to emphasize the point that I felt like the Lord wanted  me to equate this series about the storms we will be speaking of to the trials and tribulations that Jesus promised we would encounter upon this earth (John 16:33).

An illustration I used was a vessel or ship upon a raging sea. The tumultuous sea is the storm, and the vessel is the believer who is being tossed to and fro. As pointed out last week, wisdom is needed in order to navigate through the storm. Furthermore, it was explained that wisdom is more than just knowledge about God’s word; rather, wisdom is the proper application of God’s word in the midst of the storm, navigation for our every day lives. 

To bring the illustration a step forward, the application of wisdom regarding navigation on a ship in the midst of a storm would be the understanding of properly plotting coordinates upon the navigation chart. Undoubtedly, it would be useless to have coordinates, yet no understanding to properly plot them.

Tonight we will be studying a passage out of the book of Ephesians that will once again speak of being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. My attempt tonight will be to properly explain the importance of doctrine in the life of the believer. To be truthful, doctrine, good doctrine that is, is every bit as important as wisdom. Just as it will do the mariner no good to have coordinates if he hasn’t the wisdom to properly plot them, it does him no good to have the wisdom of plotting if he has the wrong coordinates. Doctrine, as we will see, is the coordinates, the very building blocks from which the wisdom of God properly navigates our lives.

Ephesians 4:11-16
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
 
Last week we discussed three elements that are important if a person is going to weather the spiritual storms of life:
 
#1: ask for wisdom
#2: be aware that many times the result of the storm is directly related to who and what you allow in your boat.
#3 throw Jonah (disobedience) out and put Jesus in.
 
In the last teaching, I tried to explain the concept of wisdom. As stated, it's important to understand that wisdom has an experiential aspect to it. In other words, wisdom is not just the knowledge of God's word; instead, wisdom is the practice of the knowledge of God's word in our daily lives; it is the application and insertion of God's wisdom into our everyday circumstances.
 
Unfortunately, just as our flesh (the part of man tainted with sin) and the Spirit of God in the born again believer engage in a battle for supremacy to win domination and control the manifestation of our behavior (Galatians 5:17), there is also a struggle taking place where the Christian is wanting to vacillate back & forth between God and man's wisdom. 
 
It should be understood that this is no small thing. The word of God is very clear that the wisdom of man can be very dangerous to our well being.
 
1 Corinthians 3:19
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
 
1 Corinthians 2:1-8
Chapter 2
 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect:yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew:for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
 
So in the last lesson point #1 said, "If you find yourself in a storm ask God for wisdom."
 
In this lesson, we are going to learn that before the knowledge of God can ever be practiced, it must first be learned.
 
[Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive]
 
AV (2)- unity 2;  unity unanimity, agreement
 

ενοτησ henotes; from 1520; oneness, i. e. (figuratively) unanimity:— unity.
 
I took an excerpt from our passage that we are studying because I wanted to focus on a couple things:
 
1). The scripture is clear. God's design is that we would come together in unity. However, let's be careful and pay close attention to what is being said, "unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God."
 
This passage is not saying that we should all just get along with one another; rather, this verse is explaining that our unity must come together at a certain point. The point of convergence isn't our horizontal relationship. Instead, the point of converging unity takes place in our understanding of [the faith] and the [knowledge of the Son of God]. To be clear, people in unity on the truth, will walk in unity with one another.
 
Once again, it is important to note that the faith spoken of here is not a verb. As a matter of fact the reason this phrase was translated "the faith" rather than just "faith" is because the Greek definite article precedes the word faith in the original language.
 
Right now some people are saying, "Who cares?" For those people, it's probably best to keep scrolling your news feed; however, for those who want some answers, stay tuned.
 
The definite article in the Greek simply constitutes a noun in that language; therefore, when the definite article precedes a word, which in our language is translated as "the", it means the word is a noun.
 
"The faith" in this verse is descriptive of the New Covenant. The convergence point that God desires we, those born of Him (1 Peter 1:1-3; John 3:3), become unified is in our understanding or belief of the New Covenant, which is the Son of God.
 
While I have already gone too long, let's clarify. Jesus said, "This is my body it will be broken for you. This is my blood of the New Covenant, it will be shed for you." Jesus Christ (His person—represented by the bread) and His blood (the sacrifice [cross]—represented by the wine) is the New Covenant.
 
This is the place where we must agree, and anything that tries to pull us away from this is being driven and motivated by demonic entities; furthermore, any true Christian should not be…and I repeat, "Should not be unified with that movement!"
 
2). We are told that those remaining unified at this place will be moved towards a certain measurement of "stature." The idea being portrayed is one of adult height. In other words, we are growing up in Christ and progressively coming to that place of Christian maturity. I don't know about you, but when I look back on my first twelve years of Christianity, I'm so glad that I've moved past "diapers and milk."
 
3). When a man or woman of God becomes unified in their own spirit with the Spirit of God on what a proper understanding of "the faith" and the "knowledge of the Son of God" is, maturity and growth takes place-- and...
 
4). Furthermore, we are no longer "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..."
 
This is the place that we resume our "storm" motif. It should be noted that the wind, which is causing the storm or tossing in all directions is caused by false doctrine.
 
Furthermore, it should be noted that in this case, the Bible warns that the false doctrine isn't accidental. In reality, the text is clear-- this false doctrine, which generates storms in the lives of believers, resulting in unrest and violent tossing to and fro is methodical.
 
To explain this, I'm only going to (exegete) or draw out the meaning of two words in the text in order to make my point:
 
a. The first word is sleight from the phrase, "... The sleight of men..." This word in the Greek is κυβοσ kubos
 
This is where we get the English word cube. The idea is descriptive of a game of dice played by men of deceit.
 
(a “cube”, i. e. die for playing); gambling, i. e. (figuratively) artifice_ Strong's
 
b. The second wait from the phrase, "...lie in wait." This word in the Greek is g3180. μεθοδεια methodeia;
 
compare “method”); traveling over, i. e. travesty ( trickery): — wile, lie in wait_ Strong's
 
In other words, its a diabolical plan that has the idea of the sleight of man's hand purposefully deceiving God's people, ultimately, resulting in Christians being tossed to and fro by the winds of false doctrine.
 
Even more interesting, at least to me, is the thought that the Greek root of the word for methodeia is methistemi...
 
μεθιστημι methistemi;to transpose, transfer, remove from one place to another
 
It's as though the thought involved is a switching of one thing for another. Now, take all this information together and think of these people on the streets of big city's hustling money with the three bended card game or the nut under the shell game. Essentially, what is taking place is that they are purposefully trying to deceive people through illusion of fast hand movements, a transposing or moving of an object from one place to another, causing the observer to believe what he saw was the right thing when in reality what he saw was an illusion.
 
In a moment, I will make the point that I personally believe that this very thing has been and is currently taking place in the church-- evil deceivers, posed as "friends" (Christians) are slowly and methodically changing the gospel before our very eyes, and its being done with such trickery that the masses, even astute leaders are falling headlong into the trap.
 
But first, I want to tackle this thought about doctrine, which seems to be a much hated word by the new version of Christianity we see arising on the new horizon of this "new world" we are slowly entering.
 
If you polled people nowadays, you would undoubtedly hear people speak of the fact that their favorite part of church is the music. Furthermore, they want to hear a message that is relevant to their own personal needs. As a matter of fact, I have heard people say, after a good sermon, "How does that affect my marriage?"
 
I'm sorry Burger King customer that we didn't serve up your desires your way right away. Let me go back into the kitchen and whip you up another meal that might better satiate your appetite.
 
Or better yet, why don't you, as a child of God recognize that the scriptures are His counsel unto you and that the words contained therein (the Bible) are the words of life that will bring nourishment to your souls and healing to your life:
 
Proverbs 2:10-11 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee,
understanding shall keep thee:
 
As we learn to apply a proper understanding of God's word to our lives, we will begin to see our marriages healed along with many other practical aspects of our lives.
 
Therefore, let's spend some time with this concept called doctrine, especially since the wrong kind will brew a strong wind within our Christian journey.
 
g1319. διδασκαλια didaskalia;
 
 from 1320; instruction (the function or the information):— doctrine, learning, teaching.
AV (21)- doctrine 19, teaching_ Strong's
 
This word is undoubtedly where we get our English word didactics. I have always liked the word didactics because it describes the type of learning that takes place in a classroom, and I love learning and teaching in a classroom setting.
 
Let me give you some examples:
 
1). In a nursing degree, the didactics portion of the curriculum involves the textbook or learning of the theories associated with the science of nursing; whereas, the practicum is the portion of the education where the student takes what he has learned in the classroom to the bedside, adding an experiential aspect to his education.
 
2). Let's use the concept of electricity or air condition refrigeration. While I personally know nothing about these fields, I do know that there is both didactics and practicum involved in the process of learning this skill. There are grounds and live wires. There is conduction and insulation. There are circuits and breakers. And there is a time when the electrician must move his hand and eyes from the blue print to the place where he touches the wires.
 
3). Lets look at the job of a preacher. If he receives an education, he may take a preaching class. The didactics portion of the class may teach him aspects such as the difference between how to preach a story (narrative) vs. one of Paul's letters (epistle). This would be the didactic portion of his learning; however, there will come a day when he will have to study, produce, and finally communicate that sermon. This, once again, is the practicum or practical portion of his education.
 
Why do we care?
 
We care because the passage we studied last week instructed us: whilst in the storm ask for wisdom from God.
 
This week I want to point out the importance of the fact that there is a perquisite to habitually walking in the wisdom of God. The prerequisite to the wisdom class is doctrine or instruction 101, in other words, the proper instruction of God's word.
 
I must warn you that the sleight of hand of crafty man we spoke of earlier is alive and well in the modern church and sadly most believers are completely unaware that its happening.
 
There is a movement within the modern church known as the Emergent Church. Within the framework of this faux "church," there is an emphasis on reaching a generation of what we call postmodern people. Postmodern meaning-- we've moved past the age of modernity, where science was supposed to fix all the ills of mankind, when in reality, it has left people with a void in their lives and full of unanswered questions.
 
Within postmodernism, is the thought that there is no absolute truth; therefore, there is no absolute text (Bible). Furthermore, there is no absolute central focus; therefore, there is not one absolute God.
 
Instead, there are many ways to happiness, many holy books to explore, and many gods to implore. Within this framework, the Emergent Church's mission is to give the postmodernist an opportunity to "experience God." In other words, people don't want to just know Him, read about Him, and have to put there faith in some doctrine. No! They want Him to be palpable, breathable, even drinkable.
 
Listen close because this is where it gets good or bad, whichever way you choose to see it. The way people are instructed to tap into experiencing this god's presence is through ancient mystical practices which include: soaking, breath prayers, and contemplative prayer.
 
Both of these practices find their roots in mystery religion and "christianized" versions of the ancient art of yoga where one is taught to empty oneself in order to "experience" the deity, so I don't doubt if you practice these tactics that you're experiencing something, but I can definitively tell you this, "It ain't the God that sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross, because the way you experience that God is through faith in the one whom He sent to die for your sin."
 
These types of mystical practices have also entered through much of the Word of Faith Movement where preachers preach fables then back it up with, "I received this one from direct revelation of God."
 
Within both of these movements, there is a deterrence from a proper Christ centered (Jesus Christ and Him crucified) approach to the gospel. There is a clear avoidance of terminology such as: sin, blood, and the cross.
 
There are multiple instances where these people can be seen and heard degrading the concept of doctrine, which, once again, simply means God's instruction.
 
One of the most blatant examples is found in The Purpose Driven Life:
 
"God won't ask you about your religious background or doctrinal views." Pg. 34
 
Sadly, many of us in the church have been made punch drunk by the claim of the word of faith preachers, "Touch not mine anointed." This verse is used as an attempt to quiet detractors and strike fear in the heart of any man who would dare call into question the teachings of another preacher. Really! You better go back and read your Bible. Start with Jesus' warning about the leaven of the Pharisees. Then move to Paul's persistent warnings about the Judaizers and others who were teaching false doctrine.
 
No! It's my job and your job to be Berean's, study the word, and mark them which teach any other doctrine than the one we have been given:
 
Romans 16:17-18
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
 
If you think I've gone too far here, then I challenge you to watch this video-- if you can handle the truth that is!
 
Church of Tares: Purpose Driven, Seeker Sensitive, Church Growth, and New World Order.
 
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=kxY3VbBHTkY&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkxY3VbBHTkY%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player
 
In the meantime, I'm going to discuss some scriptures that speak about the importance of doctrine.
 
Matthew 16:12
Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Exegete and expose the verses before and after this one
 
Acts 2:42
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles 'doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
 
Romans 6:17
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
 
Romans 16:17-18
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
 
Fair speeches-- in a bad sense, language artfully adapted to captivate the hearer:fair speaking, fine speeches
 
1 Timothy 4:13
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
 
1 Timothy 4:16
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
 
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears {desirous of hearing something pleasant}; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
 
Fables--  an invention, a falsehood
 

And we wonder why the lives of believers many times resemble those of unbelievers, struggling and flailing in the midst of a tumultuous storm, seemingly incapable of finding their way back on course.

Weathering the Storms of Life: Part 1

In discussing the storms of life, I am specifically equating "storms" to times or seasons where our lives are full of confusion and uncertainty.
 
The storms of life can be equated with trials and tribulations that Jesus spoke about:
 
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
 
Tribulation: a pressing, pressing together, pressure metaph. oppression, affliction,
 
When viewed from a proper biblical perspective, the Christian should expect that the trials and storms are coming simply because we live on a fallen earth, which is driven by the spirit of antichrist and is contrary to the child of God.
 
Nevertheless, Jesus tells us when the tribulations of life are encountered that we are to be of "good cheer because He has overcame the world." When the mature Christian is faced with a trial or tribulation, their initial reaction very well may be one of great concern and even distress, but ultimately, the trial should drive them to put their eyes on the Lord, which produces peace.
 
Storms, in the natural, are typified by howling winds, destruction, and when encountered on the sea, powerful waves that can drive the vessel off course.
 
Our journey can be similar to a vessel tossed by powerful waves when we attempt to face the storms of life in our own strength or logic. Actually, it's common for our attempts or plans to cause more trouble, more anxiety, and more confusion.
 
Whereas, when we look to the Lord, the storm is calmed, we experience peace, God gives us direction, and we learn from the trial or storm we've just experienced.
 
In the physical world storms, at least hurricanes start with waves; therefore, I'm going to start by using a verse, which describes waves and trials.
 
James 1:2-8
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;KJV
 
James 1:2
Testing of Your Faith
 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ESV
 
The word "temptations" is used in the KJV and "trial" in ESV. The idea in the passage is that there is a testing taking place through the trial.
 
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.-- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
 
Essentially, this passage is speaking to believers. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is clear through James that, in this case, the believer's faith is on trial in the midst of the test.
 
There are some very important things that should be noted:
 
1). The unbeliever who is in a storm or trial is relatively hopeless. There is no sense to be made of his plight (situation) because he just believes that random things happen, and he is the recipient of some random "bad stuff."
 
2). The believer, on the other hand, is instructed to count the trial as joy-- why?
 
3). The believer is instructed to count the trial as joy because the trying of our faith "worketh" or produces patience. In the Greek this word for patience is synonymous with endurance.
 
4). The believer is instructed not to quit in the midst of the trial because the purpose of the end result of patience is that we become "perfect."
 
The idea of the word perfect here is not the same as we use it in everyday language. Instead, it describes maturity or completion. In other words, if we are going to ever be labeled as “mature” and complete Christians, we are going to have to endure the trial or testing of our faith.
 
5). There is a critical component to the success of the Christian's trial-- wisdom.
 
Wisdom:
 
• skill in the management of affairs
• the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living
• the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by [acuteness] and experience...
 
Acuteness:
 
• sharp or penetrating in intellect, insight, or perception: an acute observer.
• extremely sensitive even to slight details or impressions: acute eyesight.
 
If we are going to navigate the storms of life successfully, we must have the wisdom of God working on our behalf.
 
Wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit working through knowledge of God's word. Wisdom is not just knowledge about the word of God; rather, wisdom is an experiential working of God's word in us as we travel life.
 
It is the practicing of God's word to the point that we begin to operate with an acuteness or perception regarding our surroundings and begin to make decisions based upon the wisdom of God instead of the logic of man.
 
In other words, a person operating in wisdom has knowledge regarding the word of God, knows how to apply that knowledge in specific circumstances, and is obedient in doing so.
 
6). But when you ask for God's wisdom in the midst of your trial don't waver-- don't be double minded.
 
In other words, don't ask God for wisdom to navigate in your storm then respond in a double minded manner by steering in a direction that has some of God's instruction and some of your own will mixed in. If you do that, you're off course Christian. You're going to be tossed to and fro like a wave in a raging sea.
 
If the wisdom of God is not just knowledge, but knowledge and experience resulting in proper application in specific circumstances, then how does the message of the cross or the finished work of Christ fit into this trial or storm equation?
 
Remember, this whole passage tells us that faith is on trial. Sadly, most people think of faith only as a verb, usually in reference to something that they want (new car, house, relationship...).
 
In the case of a storm, they may think that the faith spoken of believes God for an escape.
 
In reality, more often than not the New Testament writers used the word faith more as a noun, as in a place or state of being. An example would be, before Christ, you were in a state or being of sin, but after conversion, you are now in a state or being in a new place called "the faith," which is synonymous with being "in Christ."
 
In other words, when a person places faith (verb) in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, they are now in the faith (noun).
 
The faith is a place. Essentially, it’s descriptive of the New Covenant in Christ. It is this faith that is constantly on trial because while the enemy wants to destroy it, God wants to perfect it.
 
Proper faith always looks to Jesus, the source of victory, and His sacrifice, which is the event allowing sinful man to be connected to the presence and grace of God.
 
Therefore, just as faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified gives the believer access to grace in order to experience victory over sin, faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified also gives the believer access to grace to experience peace in the midst of his storm. But this must come through applying the wisdom of God in the midst of these circumstances.
 
The person who lacks the wisdom of God finds his/her life being tossed to and fro like a wave in the midst of a storm. There is no godly direction; instead, this person is being driven by their own logic and carnal appetites (What they want).
 
Point # 1: when a person finds himself in the trial or storm, he should ask God for wisdom.
 
However, it should also be understood that true wisdom is something that God dispenses as His children walk with Him. True wisdom is gained through relationship with God. It's not just a life preserver thrown out every time somebody finds themselves tossing around like a wave on the ocean.
 
Point # 2: sometimes the storms in our lives are a direct result of who or what we allow in our boat.
 
Jonah 1:1-12
Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 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.  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. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you:for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
 
Jonah was a child of the most, high God running away in rebellion from the will and presence of God. The result of his disobedience is that the storm is raging, resulting in confusion and chaos for everyone around him.
 
Have you ever known anyone like this? Everywhere they go, everything they do is filled with drama, frustration, and chaos. Furthermore, if you choose to connect yourself to them while they navigate their disobedience, you will also be affected.
 
The people in the Jonah story have connected themselves to Jonah and his disobedience, resulting in them also being connected to the storm that is surrounding Jonah's life.
 
In a similar fashion, when a believer connects himself to people or "things" of disobedience, they should expect chaos and confusion.
 
Point # 3: the answer to the storm is simple-- throw Jonah out and let Jesus in.
 
Matthew 8:23-27
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves:but he was asleep. 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!
 
There are other instances where Jesus encounters the storm and brings a calm which we will cover over the next couple of weeks.
 
However, the main point to be made here is that Jesus has authority and power to change circumstances; unfortunately, many of us, as the disciples in this story, are more concerned or consumed with the storm than the storm stopper.
 
It's also interesting to me that they were in the boat with Jesus; yet, they were being overtaken with fear because of the circumstances. Ultimately, it should be noted that many Christians want to say that they have Jesus in the boat, but they have connected themselves to Jonah (disobedience), resulting in a lack of God's presence and an intensification of the storm.
 
If you are experiencing this in your life, the answer is to get rid of Jonah (disobedience) and get a hold of Jesus.
 
Not only did Jesus calm the weather in this story, but if you continue reading, you will find that He also has authority over unclean spirits, so no matter what you are experiencing in your life right now, I am here to remind you that Jesus has the needed power-- turn to Him!

Lessons from Gideon: A Man of Valor Part 1

Judges 6:1-10
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord:and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven {fulfillment}years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel:and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number:and they entered into the land to destroy it. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord.
 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:but ye have not obeyed my voice.

I never realized it before, but once the Lord began to deliver me in my mind, there was a level of fear associated with the bondage that I was previously in. I remember telling Danielle one time, “The Lord has set me free even in my thoughts since I started focusing on His victory on Calvary, but I haven’t wanted to say anything because I was scared the devil was going to get mad.”
 
We have spoken in the past about the fact that the release of the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt through the Red Sea is an OT type of our salvation out of the world and release from the yoke of the prince of this world.
 
If that be the case, then the wanderings of the wilderness and the time-frame of the judges represent the stubborn and stiff necked Christian who refuses to submit to God's plan for their lives.
 
Israel's disobedience during this time-frame resulted in God allowing their enemy to assume power over them.
 
When we walk outside of God’s will, by playing games, and touching the unclean thing; we open doors to spiritual forces who wreak havoc in our lives. In this story, the Midianites play the role of these spiritual forces.
 
This story tells us that the Midianites, with all their cattle and camels, came into Israel's land, devouring and consuming all their sustenance; furthermore, the scripture is clear. The reason it happened was because:
 
fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:but ye have not obeyed my voice.
 
Israel refused to obey the voice of the Lord and through fear connected themselves to the gods of the world, and through that connection opened a door that resulted in destruction of their sustenance.
 
Sheep, gone! Oxen, gone! Harvest, gone! They were left dry and desolate.
 
In the lives of many Christians today, disobedience has opened the door, allowing the enemy to rush in and consume the "land." Wreaking havoc in their lives, and causing peace to be gone! Protection, gone! Access to grace, gone! Finances in disarray! Children refusing to serve the Lord! And all this because of a refusal to submit to God and His ways, rather instead, choosing to hold to what makes flesh feel good, choosing to go the ways of the world.
 
To be truthful, God has persistently had to deal with this problem with His children of all ages. In the modern church, it’s politically incorrect to say it for fear of offending someone and hurting their feelings, but what about God and the offenses that His people commit against Him? What about the one who calls himself a believer but refuses to go the way God is prodding him to go?
 
The Lord spoke through David and said:
 
Psalms 32:9
Be ye not as the horse,
or as the mule, which have no understanding:
whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle,
lest they come near unto thee.
 
God is looking for men and women with a warrior's heart who are willing to concern themselves about the things and the name of God.
 
That's why I want to talk to you about Gideon tonight because His name means warrior.
 
Judges 6:11-16
And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite:and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites:have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

At the end of this passage, Gideon explains that he’s from the tribe of Manasseh, which according to Numbers 2:3-31was the smallest tribe out of all 12; furthermore his (clan) or family was the weakest family in the whole tribe at this present time; lastly, he was the least, meaning the youngest of his family. With all this said, according to the evidence, Gideon would have been the most unlikely person, at least according to the natural order of things, to be used by God to bring victory; yet, Gideon is the one God chose.

There are a lot of people who struggle with their past and hope for victory in their lives. Because they have always failed, they are lied to by the enemy and convinced that they can never be free, but the victory isn’t in you or your past; the victory is in Christ.
 
In this passage, Gideon is representative of all Israel, and Israel is hiding in fear, attempting to hold onto the little bit that they have left. That is why Gideon is hiding and threshing wheat in the wine press.
 
Notice the difference between what God sees in Gideon and what Gideon sees in himself.
 
God says to Gideon: The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour
 
But this is how Gideon sees himself: behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
 
God says to Gideon something that He wants us to also know-- He promises to be with us as we do His will.
 
God is looking for some Gideon's to rise up and be used as warriors to save His people from the hand of their enemy: And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites
 
There are some principles that I want to discuss from this story that I believe will help you to get your mind right regarding the victory God wants to give you.
 
Lesson 1
 
You have to begin seeing yourself the way that God sees you. And quit viewing your life the way it was while you were oppressed by your enemy.

Before they entered the Promised Land, God had promised blessing and provision in Deuteronomy 28. The promise was contingent upon Israel staying faithful to the covenant God had given them. 
 
Remember, his name is Gideon, which means warrior, and the angel of the Lord calls him a mighty man of valor.
 
The word valor means a man of war, but it also means a person of sustenance or wealth.
 
In the physical realm everything is a mess. The enemy had eaten up all the provision and God's people are cowering, even hiding to preserve and hold to the little morsel they have left, but God says, "you’re a man of war and wealth."
 
Now, there is a lot of practicality that could be taught here about the way we spend our money and the result it has upon our finances, specifically, our insatiable appetites to spend our wealth on wasteful wants, rather than living a life of temperance.
 
Furthermore, many of God's people refuse to pay God what is His.
 
He said in Malachi,
 
God: "You have robbed me."
 
Israel: "How have we robbed you?"
 
God: "Through tithes and offerings."
 
Many of God's people refuse to believe this portion of His word, holding onto the tithe, which His; resulting in a curse being poured out upon the remainder they have.

Sometimes the people of the church are still serving the world with their finances: alcohol, music, worldly possessions.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Malachi 3:11-12
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground;
neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
 And all nations shall call you blessed:
for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
 
So point 1 see yourself the way God sees you (Romans 6:11) and two practical points regarding sustenance (finances)
 
A. Quit wasting your money buying things you can't afford and live within your means.
 
B.  Give God His and watch Him bless what He lets you have.
 

Lesson 2

 (a). Not everyone in the camp is in the battle.
(b). Most aren't living their lives sober minded, believing there is an enemy on the prowl:
 
Judges 7:5-7
5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.7 And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Commentators are somewhat divided about how the men drank, but the logical idea is that they brought the water to their mouths with their hands as a dog brings water to his mouth with his tongue. What they didn’t do was drink the water while on their knees and their face towards the water; instead, they drank while being watchful, which is something that any person aware that there is an enemy on the prowl would do.

Lesson from Gideon: A Man of Valor Part 2

Lesson 3
 
Gideon made a change: he let go of what he was hiding and holding and grabbed onto God's plan.
 
Judges 6:15-22
And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present{offering}, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour:the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
 Then the angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the Lord departed out of his sight. And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.
 
By now, Israel has been well trained in the things of God. They were taught by Moses about worship, sacrifice (to us the cross), and unleavened bread (purity of Jesus).
 
But the more recent years, under the rule of the Judges have resulted in a mixture of Baal worship along with worship of the Lord. To be truthful, this is a problem that continued to affect God's people through the ages to the point where they were no longer even serving God, but they thought they were.
 
Sadly, while most can't see it, this is where the modern church is today. The most popular preachers with the most listened to voices prophesy lies that all is well. Preaching messages that shun purity and tolerate sin, as though calling sin what it is equals hate instead of love. No! A preacher who lies and refuses to speak the truth shows hate rather than love.
 
People sit in pews in churches across America living their lives just like the world around them-- except they go to church, flocking like birds crowded on an ocean island, they search a church where they can caress their sin while appeasing some meaningless religious duty. God help us.
 
At this point in Israel’s history there is no altar for the Lord, but God has moved towards Gideon and Gideon is about to move towards God.
 
Gideon's movement towards God is a sacrifice, which is the only way God can have relationship with man.
 
I want to consider some concepts about Gideon's offering:
 
 (a). These things aren't coming back with him.
 
 (b). These offerings are costly.
 
A. We must always remember that the altar or cross is an instrument of death. In both the Old Testament and New Testament alike the sacrifice ultimately brought life because it restored fellowship between the believer and God.
 
Nevertheless, it must be understood that these items are not coming back with Gideon once he is done.
 
At this point, the question that begs asking is, "Are we allowing the cross to perform its function in our lives?" The cross is an instrument of death.
 
In other words, when we go to the Lord and ask Him to apply the cross to an area of our lives so that resurrection life can replace it, do we allow "it" to really die or do we allow "it" to resurrect in us instead of the victory of the Lord?
 
Many times people won't let something die that they still love.
 
I heard a story from a man of God. I just met the other day. He owns 5 shrimp boats and he has captains that work for him.
 
About two years ago, he had a captain that would take his money when he got paid and spend it all on crack. The owner tried to reason with him, but the man's response was, "I love it. I love how it feels."
 
The owner sadly responded, "Then I can't help you. If you love it, there is nothing I can do for you. You'll have to go."
 
Recently, the man showed up again and said, "I hate it."
 
The owner, with a smiling face and hopeful heart encouraged, "I can help you. You have a job."
 
Something happened in two years that convinced this man about his sin. You see multiple seeds about the gospel had been previously planted, but it wasn't until the sin had proven and shown its fruit that he was convinced.
 
Gideon was at a place where he was convinced. He was tired of timidly threshing wheat in a place where grapes were supposed to be stomped.
 
At this sacrifice, these animals aren't coming back; however, Gideon's problem with fear is also on the run.
 
B. The cross requires something of a man-- to trust God in spite of the flesh and let go of what we've always known.
 
Previously, Gideon was trying to hide and hold his last portion of grain, but now he is bringing cakes and animals were extremely precious in these days to give to God.
 
God revealed Himself to Gideon, and now Gideon is willing to give to God what He is asking for. What are you holding onto child of God?
 
What does God want you to give to Him? Is it hurt, bitterness, anger, dreams...?
 
He wants to give us victory, but sometimes we prevent Him by refusing to let go of what is holding us back.
 
One thing that often holds people back from giving God their all is the concern that they will be ostracized, made fun of, or rejected. Actually, that is something that we should expect if we look anything like Him because that is exactly what they did to Him.
 
Lesson 4
 
When you let go of what you were holding and go God's way, the result is peace.
 
Judges 6:24
Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovahshalom:unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
 
Gideon called the altar he built The Lord is peace. Even though the battle still lied ahead and the enemy was still oppressing Israel, Gideon experienced the peace of God when God spoke it over his life.
 
Even though the Israelites were still impoverished and Gideon didn't have any more grain than he had before, and now he was less a cake and a goat, he experienced the peace of God.
 
In reality, it’s nothing less than a miracle when the peace of God shows up at times when it makes no sense.
 
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 
Lesson 5
 
Obedience towards God is visible two ways: (1) there is the cutting down and removal of sin (2) there is the establishment of the things of God.
 
Judges 6:25-27
And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him:and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
 
Previously, we saw Gideon build an altar in reference to his personal life, but now God's Spirit is driving him forward. The same Spirit that raised Gideon from the dead (spiritually speaking) is the same Spirit that compels Gideon to live his faith out loud for the rest of Israel to see.
 
When these men wake up in the morning, there is going to be a message preached very loud-- Baal is dead and God is alive! Every Christian will be faced with this formidable task at some point in their walk with God. Will you erect an altar for God, or will you continue living in fear under the bondage of Baal?
 
Contrary to popular belief, everything isn't alright in the camp.
 
The removal of sin occurred when Gideon cut down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. The Hebrew word translated as "grove" in the KJV is asera where we get Asherah, which was a pole erected like the Egyptian obelisks in commemoration of Nimrod's male member all relating to occult worship.
 
While we often try to sweep sin under the rug, it's quite obvious that Israel is so far removed from God that she is no longer really serving Him.
 
Just as Gideon had allowed God to penetrate his heart by embracing the cross (building an altar), God is asking Gideon to replace his father's sin with the remedy for sin (altar/ cross) for all to see.
 
What's interesting for me is that God tells Gideon to place the altar in the: ordered place.
 
In the Hebrew, the ordered place means battle line or military array. It's imperative that we get a revelation regarding this concept.
 
Israel has been impoverished through being under the bondage of their enemy for seven years. In the midst of their misery, they have cried out to God for deliverance and He has heard them. He chooses Gideon to lead the way. And the beginning of victory starts with the establishment of the altar.
 
Specifically, in this passage, Gideon is removing the enemy stronghold by placing the altar (cross) in its place. And God says, "This is where I want it. It's the ordered place. It's the military line. It's from this place the battle will be won."
 
But let me close with this child of God if you never get to the place where you are tired of worshiping Baal, you will never cut down his altar, you will never cut down the Asherah pole, and you will never let the cross stand tall in the place where defeat turned to victory.

Lessons from Gideon: A Man of Valor Part 3

Lesson 6: God not only requires that man give obedience to faith in the sacrifice, but He demands that he shine his light before all men.

 Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  

Lesson 7: when you take your stand for The Lord, don't expect that all those who call themselves 
Christians will be happy. 

Most people are more concerned about pleasing man more than God. 

 

Judges 6:25-30

And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, 
even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, 
and cut down the grove that is by it: And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of 
this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with 
the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and 
did as the Lord had said unto him:and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and 
the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, 
and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that 
was built. And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, 
they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, 
Bring out thy son, that he may die:because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath 
cut down the grove that was by it.

 

(6) First, Gideon embraced relationship with God by building an altar and sacrificing to the God of 
Israel. As we will soon see, Israel was so far removed from serving God that their altars were erected 
to Baal rather than Jehovah. 

 

Gideon did right-- he worshiped God, but it won't stop there the next step will require that he live 
that devotion and obedience for others to see-- an example of what it's supposed to look like. 
"Where are the men who fear nothing but God?" James Van Valkenberg Christian artist Baton Rouge La. 

 

(7) The root of Israel's problem was their refusal to remove the idol's in their lives. They were 
worshiping false gods; thereby, opening doors, which gave the enemy a foothold, which has now become 
a stronghold.

 

This problem still plagues many modern Christians. With one hand holding onto the world's "goodies," 
they reach their other hand towards God. We can't serve Baal and God together. It's going to have to 
be either one or the other. 

 

Israel's bondage and loss of supply was a direct result of their failure to separate themselves from 
the world. Because of their continued disobedience, their enemy was allowed by God to have power over 
them.

 

Gideon, on the other hand, was a man who wanted to serve God. God saw his heart and chose to reveal 
Himself to Gideon in order to deliver His people from bondage. God's instruction in this passage to Gideon 
is destroy the altar of Baal. 

 

How many times do Christians allow altars of Baal (sinful disobedience) to remain erected in their 
lives? While, at the same time, they say they are God's children; yet, don't understand why their 
lives are full of strife and confusion. 

 

Well, not Gideon. He was instructed by God to destroy the altar of Baal and erect an altar towards 
Him. Once again, Old Testament altars are a foreshadowing of the cross; for it is there that the 
fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifice was found. 

 

Essentially, for the modern Christian, the question to be asked is, "when will you let go of the 
sinful disobedience and throw yourself at the foot of the cross, allowing the 'old man' whose been 
driven by sin to be crucified and resurrected anew?"

 

Don't expect that when the fire of the Lord gets a hold of your heart and teaches you and strengthens 
you to walk in purity before Him that everyone is going to get on board w/ the program. There are some 
who don't want to move from the land of the dead to the land of the living.

 

Just as Gideon was faithful to the voice of God while the other men around him became angry because 
he destroyed Baal's altar, there will also be a small remnant who will obey the word of The Lord 
while the rest will continue holding hands with the world and pretend they've given their heart to God. 

 

Furthermore, the men of Manassah were infuriated with Gideon's obedience towards God. It should be
noted that it's still a common finding that when a man or woman has their heart ignited by the Spirit 
of God, which fuels them towards obedience, the disobedient crowd becomes convicted, resentful, and 
even hateful. The same thing happened to Jesus, so why would we expect any different?

There should be some clarification added here. There are many Christian. There are many in the church 
who desire to serve God; yet, they find themselves on the wrong end of the struggle. If that is you, I 
want you to know that God hears the cries of those that love Him. Hold onto Jesus’ nail scarred hand 
as He leads you to the Promised Land.

 

John 15:18
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

John 15:24
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin:but now have 
they both seen and hated both me and my Father. [interesting that when God is revealed to man different 
than what he expected he doesn't like the revelation]

John 16:2-3
They shall put you out of the synagogues:yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think 
that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the 
Father, nor me.

John 5:1-16
Chapter 5
 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem 
by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these 
lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water:whosoever then first 
after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain 
man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he 
had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man 
answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool:but while I am 
coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And 
immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked:and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day:it is not lawful for thee to 
carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 
Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was 
healed wist not who it was:for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole:sin no more, 
lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made 
him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these 
things on the sabbath day.

In addition, people should be able to see a shocking change also once we erect the altar towards God (fall at the foot of the cross).
 
Lesson 8: where there is communion {God's presence} there is victory.
 
Judges 7:13-15
And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel:for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshiped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.
 
It's interesting to me that the dream contained a barley loaf (bread) bringing destruction to a tent considering the fact that the Midianites were a nomadic people group.
 
The passage says: barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, overturned, and that the tent lay along
 
What happened to the tent, representative of the Midian people is that it was struck and overturned by the bread; ultimately, resulting in the tent experiencing a violent death.
 
So what does the bread represent in this scenario? It's quite obviously of significant import considering it is the source of victory, at least in the dream.
 
Bread in the bible, especially the Old Testament, represents communion or fellowship with God.
 
Reaching back to the book of Exodus, we see reference to the shewbread KJV or the bread of presence: NIV, ESV, YLT, NASB
 
Exodus 25:30
And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
 
Exodus 25:30
And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly.
 
Exodus 25:30
and thou hast put on the table bread of the presence before Me continually.
 
(30) You shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times. Exodus 25:30 (NASB)
 
The shewbread was called the bread of presence because it was to be set
upon a table "before the Lord always.
 
Every Sabbath, once per week, the priest servicing the temple, was instructed to replace the twelve loaves, which represented Israel's twelve tribes. The fact that these loaves were "before the Lord" is representative of Israel's communion and fellowship with God.
 
While we certainly don't have time to exhaust all the types and shadows of the tabernacle and its representations of the person of Christ, there is an amazing observation to be made regarding this concept: in Christ (inside the tabernacle), there is fellowship between God and His people.
 
It should also be noted with regards to the Gideon story that the Israelites had been completely impoverished by Midian; yet, God chooses to foretell victory through a dream where prepared bread destroys the enemy. Remember, Gideon was just hiding with his wheat in the wine press.
 
There is also certainly a reference to the provision of God and the fact that when we are weak, He is strong (Corinthians). Furthermore, regarding provision, its important to remember what Jesus said about the manna from heaven: "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven" (John 6:32).
 
Jesus is true provision; furthermore, He is the source of true communion; and when we are in fellowship with Him, you can expect the enemy's stronghold to be broken when God's presence shows up on the scene. Maybe, you feel as though you are impoverished: relationships failing, finances in disarray, children are wayward, living under constant depression...
 
I will close by saying that when you have no strength left, God's is perfected and ready to bring the victory.

Lesson from Gideon: A Man of Valor Part 4

Gideon: Man of Valor Part 4

Judges 7:15-25
And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshiped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise:and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.
 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch:and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal:and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. And they stood every man in his place round about the camp:and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host:and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.
 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.
 
It is unquestionable that these pitchers would have been made from clay; therefore, we are given a scenario where the outer clay is hiding the inner light. Also, this passage speaks of trumpets and swords. Both of these instruments have repeated references in the scriptures to the Word of God.
 
When the flesh is removed, and the believer allows the light of God to shine and the word of God to lead, the victory becomes manifest.
 
There are many times that the word uses the idea of the "trumpet" associated with the voice of God.
 
Exodus 19:16
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
 
1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
 
Revelation 4:1
Chapter 4
 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven:and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
 
Hebrews 12:19
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
 
In this passage, there seems to be a direct connection to the trumpet and the sword. We have already established the connection between the trumpet and the word. Certainly, there is a strong connection between the word and the sword:
 
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
 
Revelation 19:15
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations:and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Undoubtedly, the sword in this passage is descriptive of His word).
 
 Back to the thought of clay
 

Jeremiah 18:1-17
Chapter 18
 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter:so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
 Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you:return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good. And they said, There is no hope:but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things:the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing. Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken? Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
 
In this long Jeremiah passage, clay is likened to God's people and the potter's wheel representing God's hand molding the human clay into its proper shape.
 
In addition, there is a common thread between the Judges passage we are studying and this Jeremiah passage. In both instances, God's people Israel are in rebellion and going the way of the world.
 
The Jeremiah passage portrays "marred" clay. It's out of shape, unwilling to be molded, and ultimately useless in the hands of the potter, resulting in the potter starting from scratch to prepare another vessel.
 
Our "clay" flesh is marred by the fall. There is a bend in us to go a way in opposition to God. As we're told in the book of Galatians: For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:and these are contrary the one to the other:so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Galatians 5:17
 
There is a war ensuing between that part of man fallen in Adam and that part of man born again in Christ.

Lesson 9: when the clay is moved out of the way, the light and Word engage the fight
 
When the flesh is in the way, in this passage, known as clay, the light of God is prevented from performing its function in our lives and through our lives.
 
The flesh, tainted with sin, attempts to pull us in a direction opposing God. It caters to our wants and sets us up for deception, darkness, and defeat from our enemy.
 
God's kingdom operates in light. Jesus is the light that came into the world and the darkness couldn't apprehend the light. While some translations say, "Couldn't comprehend the light," which would mean the darkness couldn't understand the light. Most scholars believe the right translation is, "The darkness couldn't apprehend the light," which means that the darkness couldn't overpower the light of God, which is Jesus. In reality, there is probably truth in both: the darkness neither understands, nor can it overcome the light (John 1:5).
 
But you must understand that when we, as the children of God, allow our flesh to dictate us towards darkness, we are choosing to operate in a realm opposite God's kingdom: John 3:19-21
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
 
Driven by flesh, we obscure God's light in the midst of our circumstances, allowing the enemy to turn his foothold into a stronghold.
 
If you want to be right with God, you must let your fleshly clay be broken so that the light of God can replace the darkness.
 
In the story we are reading the clay was broken and the light was revealed: And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands
 
When man's flesh is broken, God's light, presence, and word are released, and the enemy is driven into confusion... the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host.

Lesson 10: when we move out of the way and turn the battle over to God, He causes confusion in the enemy’s camp.
 
As previously mentioned, God operates in the realm of truth; whereas, His enemy dwells in darkness. In the darkness, the enemy has the upper hand, but when the light of God is allowed to shine in its proper place, the enemy's camp is brought down in confusion.
 
In this passage, the enemy are the Midianites, but in our lives, they are the forces of evil, attempting to hold us under the sway of their bondage; they convince our flesh to not "come clean." In other words, "I don't have to bring this to the light. I can just hold onto it and do what I want; after all, its not really that bad.
 
I wish I could warn people and they would listen. Sadly, most think you're a "gone off the deep end" fanatic when you start trying to convince people that a "little leaven spoils the whole lump."
 
God desires truth on the inward parts: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalms 51:5-7
 
The idea in this Psalm is that David has sinned with Bathsheeba, he has had her husband, who had been faithful to his kingdom killed, the baby has died, and Nathan the prophet has let him know that God has been watching the whole time. Essentially, David hasn't gotten away with anything.
 
The cry from the Psalm is written from the heart of a penitent man in whom sin has taken its course and convinced him he was wrong.
 
What a loving God we serve who would provide us with such great examples of well meaning people that loved Him, yet failed Him. Furthermore, to know that He provides these truths all for the purpose of convincing us His way is right, and our way leads to destruction; this truth fuels my heart with more desire to get it right on the front end rather than with much sorrow and heartache on the latter end.
 
Sadly, most of us are more like David. My dad used to tell me, "Your just like your 'old man' boy, hard headed and stubborn, refusing to learn from my mistakes, you have enrolled yourself in the school of 'hard knocks'."
 
David in this Psalm is on the back end of the school of 'hard knocks'—he’s about to “graduate.” He has had time to consider his decisions and the path he chose. He probably remembers vividly his decision to stay behind while the other kings of the other nations had gone off to war, remembering even more the day he saw innocent, beautiful Bathsheeba on the rooftop. How she must have looked so young, pure, and innocent.
 
She, just as David, was being led like a lamb to the slaughter. Who would have ever imagined she would have become pregnant? Who would have ever imagined that David, a man after God's own heart, would sink to such lows and have her husband killed?
 
But the Psalm is written by a man who is not pretending that everything is alright and that its not that 'big a deal'. Instead, he is baring his heart to God and coming clean because he knows that all the lies and deceptions he was holding onto were driving him further into darkness and further away from the truth of God.
 
It's time to stop the lies. It's time to come clean! Who cares what others may think. It only matters what God thinks!
 
I can remember my own life how I had been bound for so long as a Christian. It didn't start with immediate bondage. At first, it was just a little "sip -o- sin."
 
When I first got saved, God had spoken clearly that it was a sin to drink, and for a while, I listened. But as time moved forward, and I saw passages like: "a little wine for the belly," I began to convince myself that things were different now; after all, I was a nurse practitioner and eating at the table with doctors, surely this was perfectly fine. I mean I'm not going to get drunk-- it's just one glass of wine.
 
Who really wants one glass of wine? Oh, I know, "the connoisseur,"you say. He tips his little finger, sips, swishes, and only swallows a remnant. Well, that's what he does at the tasting, but don't tell me that he never drinks more than one glass, two glasses, three glasses...
 
Truthfully, people like the way a "buzz" feels to their flesh. And there I was when one glass turned to several. How long did this deception last? I will say this, "It took heartache and heartbreak for me to be convinced.
 
After my sister's tragic death, I sunk to new lows as a Christian; instead, of running to Jesus, I was in a barroom for the first time in twelve years. By this time, the wine had become beer.
 
"Shut up! Don't judge me because my sin doesn't look like yours. You can't prove to me from the Bible this is wrong." I would have said as I wiped my mouth with my sleeve.
 
I stumbled to the bathroom, and in the midst of the stench of urine, God spoke to my heart and convinced me of my sin.
 
About three weeks later, I was in the car with a guy from church. We were talking about our walks with God. I was on fire at this point because the light of God had destroyed the yoke of bondage, which had previously held me fast.
 
I can remember as though it were yesterday when God spoke to my spirit and said, "Tell him what I did for you in that barroom. He needs to hear it."
 
My initial reaction was to shoo away the voice of God because people don't want to let the 'cat out of the bag.' But I could feel the Spirit of God rising up in me, encouraging me to trust Him, almost as if to say, "You're unsure because you've been living and hiding in darkness for so long that you don't know what walking in my light looks like. Trust me and watch what I'll do next."
 
I can remember as I started to talk that I became more passionate with every word. What was previously shrouded in darkness and fear was beginning to be replaced with the light and confidence of God; whereas, when I started the story, I was timid and feeling as though someone may look down on me, by the time I was done, I was preaching with fervor my miraculous testimony about how God showed up when I least deserved it and delivered me out of the hand of my enemy.
 
Where is the person you ask? He no longer goes to church. His Facebook page shows him partying. He was a real worshiper of God too. He would cry in the presence of God. I always loved worshiping with Him because he loved God so much.
 
I realize now that God wanted me to share the testimony for me and him. He used it to strengthen my faith and as a warning or word of correction to my friend. If you're reading this, you know who you are. I miss you, God misses you. He longs for you to seek His face as you used to. He wants you to know you haven't gone too far. He died for you, so come back to Him!
 
I said all this to make the point that we have to quit hiding in darkness. Bring "it" to the light! Let it be dealt with at the cross.
 
Lyrics to a Charles Wesley hymn:
 
The light of God diffused a quickening ray, when I woke, my dungeon, it flamed with light.
 
My chains fell off; my heart was free; I rose went forth and followed thee.
 
Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God should die for me? Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God would die for me?
 
If you really want the freedom of God to show up in your darkness, you will have to expose the light and let God cut the head off the thing!
 
And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb...they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb...brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan
 
h6158. ערב ‘oreb; or עורב ‘owreb; from 6150; a raven (from its dusky hue):— raven.
AV (10)- raven 10;
 
The raven bird is associated with darkness. In the definition, the words "dusky hue" are used, which further strengthen this point.
 
h2062. זאב z ’eb; the same as 2061; Zeeb, a Midianitish prince:— Zeeb.
AV (6)- Zeeb 6; Zeeb ="wolf"
 one of the two princes of Midian mentioned

Lesson 11: come out from under the cloud of darkness and let God cut the head off the thing!
 
How interesting that these two princes of Midian had names corresponding to: raven-- darkness, and a wolf-- a predator that stalks and devours in the darkness.                              
 
The entirety of this teaching has emphasized the importance of allowing the flesh to be broken so that the light of God can shine in the midst of the darkness, causing confusion in the enemy's camp, and bringing victory to God's people-- that means you Christian!
 
The last point emphasizes the same point, but emphasizes it with finality-- remove the head! We must allow God to deal with the root of these issues and allow the cross, that instrument of death, to put these spiritual struggles in the grave.
 
Whether relationships, addictions, or worldly desires, you must cut your ties to these strongholds. If you allow them to stay alive, they will creep and prowl again, stealthily in the darkness and result in destruction to your walk.

Galatians 6:6-18

Galatians 6:6
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
 
Acts 2:42
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles 'doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
 
 

I placed these two verses here for comparison, specifically, for the consideration of the words communicate and fellowship. Both of these words, come from a common root, and the foundational meaning in both passages is communion or fellowship.
 
Therefore, if we stay true to the text, Paul is encouraging the spiritually mature Christians in Galatia to maintain fellowship with their instructors in the truth. In addition, fellowship with the Judaizers must be broken.
 
 

Galatians 6:7, 8
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
 
 

You can rest assured that if you allow yourself to sit under the teachings of false doctrine, there will be spiritually negative results. For those that have not been following along with us, clarification is in order.
 
The Judaizers were instructing the Galatians to add Law, specifically, circumcision to their faith. While modern day preachers do not suggest circumcision be added, rest assured that false doctrine is alive and well in the modern church. Furthermore, the preachers that have the most exposure teach the pastors who stand behind pulpits in small town America. From the TV, to the pulpit, the people are instructed in a false gospel that leads to failure rather than freedom.
 
The people are led to trust in another Jesus, a Jesus that winks at sin, a Jesus that is more concerned about your finances than your faithfulness, and a Jesus that gives grace based on your performance rather than your faith in His sacrifice.
 
Paul is instructing them and us to not be deceived. God will not be mocked. The context of this passage is that if you sit under false teaching and allow seeds of a destructive gospel to be planted in the soil of your heart, the result will be a harvest of failure, a fleshly Christian life, which lacks the testimony of Jesus.
 

Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
 
 

The idea of the word weary in this verse was used in these times to describe the condition of a person who was exhausted, and even dehydrated from working in the field, worn out from reaping the harvest. The exhortation is don't grow weary child of God! Don't give up working the harvest! Souls are hanging in the balance, every day they are slipping away! God has given us a harvest to reap. He has placed you in a certain place, amongst certain people, and there is no one else to reap your portion of the field- it is your portion to reap.
 
John 4:35
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
 
Matthew 9:37
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;
 
If you don't labor, if I don't labor, who will labor?
 
 

Galatians 6:11-12
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
 
 

By writing a portion of the letter in his own hand writing, it was like Paul was providing a signature for proof. He states that the Judaizers were constraining the Galatians. The word constrain means to compel through threats. Essentially, the Judaizers were threatening the  Galatian Christians out of their position in Christ and into a false gospel. Paul goes on to point out that the Judaizers are compelling you to be circumcised because they are scared to be persecuted for the cross.
 
You see you have to understand that the early church was made up of Jewish Christians, and as the New Testament Gospel became clearer, it was becoming more obvious that the old ways of Judaism would have to be rejected. It is important that we understand that this was a painful process for these Jerusalem Christians, resulting in persecution, disowned by family, finances lost, ridiculed and ostracized by the establishment.
 
Much of this is happening today. Many in the church refuse to take a stand for the truth, refusing to take a stand against sin, refusing to preach the cross and the shed blood of Jesus as the only way to gain access to the presence of God.
 
So the Judaizers are scared to take a stand and be persecuted. But look what Paul says about himself in verse 17
 
 

Galatians 6:17
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
 
 

How do you scare a man like this? He has already been beaten, whipped, imprisoned, and stoned; yet, he preaches. He preaches, corrects, and rebukes. Even when it is not what is popular, even when it is not conducive with the health of his body, he stands for Jesus, and he does what is best for the precious bride. Jesus loves His bride church, and He doesn't appreciate it when people lie to her and send her in the wrong direction, a direction that brings her away from Him.
 
 

Galatians 6:13-15
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
 
 

Man cannot keep the Law. No one knows this better than Paul. We have already discussed this in detail on more than one occasion. These false prophets are compelling the Galatians to be circumcised in order to be “right” with God, but Paul is no fool. He knows they are living fleshly lives themselves. The only desire they have is to brag to others about the "work" they have done, "Yeah, we went down there to Galatia where Paul was teaching only Jesus, and we convinced them to be circumcised. Look, here's the numbers. Read them and weep look how many we brought in."
 
It seems as though, they were bragging over numbers, and the same garbage is going on today.
 
But Paul says that he only glories in one thing and that one thing is the cross of Christ because the goal of the Gospel is not circumcision or uncircumcision; instead, the true Gospel results in a new creation.
 
 

Galatians 6:16
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
 
 

The word rule here is Kanon and describes a straight rod, which is connected to something for the purpose of keeping it straight, a plumb line, a tool used to measure something else up against. Paul is saying that if any man or woman will order their lives and their doctrine according to this straight line, a new creation in Christ, then they are walking the straight and narrow. Furthermore, the person who lives their lives according to this rule, peace will be on their lives.
 
Since we already covered verse 17, we will go ahead and go to:
 
 

Galatians 6:18
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
To [the Galatians written from Rome.]
 
 

This is what we need saints; we desperately need the grace of Jesus to be with our spirits, and the grace of Jesus operates in the spirits of those who are new creations.

Galatians 6:1-6

Last week we covered all but one of the fruit of the Spirit. The one we did not cover is Faith. This is how the word is presented in the KJV, but in some of the newer translations, including the NKJV, the word faithfulness is used.
 
To be truthful, faithfulness is a better translation than faith in this instance. Consider what types of words that the lusts and the fruit have been: they have been adjectives. The word faith could be used in a variety of ways: noun, verb, adjective. If we were to say, "The faith", then we are speaking of the Christian faith, the essence of the Gospel, Jesus Christ and Him crucified, which would be a noun. But when we speak of exhibiting or keeping faith in "the faith", then the word would be a verb. Let me explain more thoroughly.
 
If "the faith" (a noun), as we just mentioned, ultimately describes the covenant God offered sinful humanity: Jesus Christ and Him crucified, then when we exhibit trust or belief in that truth, the word faith now has action- we are actively believing.
 
However, in the passages we have been studying recently the words were descriptive, describing behaviors, behaviors that we said could act as a mirror in our lives. These adjectives describe the behaviors we exhibit; therefore, they are an indicator of whether we are walking in the flesh or the Spirit, depending upon our produce.
 
Ultimately, the point I am trying to make is that faithfulness in this passage is another fruit of the Spirit; it is another adjective of the Spirit that is produced in the life of the believer. When the believer steadfastly keeps his faith in "the faith" (Jesus Christ- the promised seed & Him Crucified- the sacrifice), the Holy Spirit produces the adjective faithfulness in his life.
 
Faithfulness-  constancy, steadfastness, assurance.
 
As we determine to keep our faith properly anchored in Christ, the Holy Spirit responds by producing faithfulness in our lives, which strengthens our ability to keep faith in Christ, resulting in our growing in Christ, which means we will look more like Him and less like us every day.
 
This provides a wonderful transition into chapter 6.
 
 

Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
 
 

I say it provides a good transition because what Paul exhorts in verse 1 of chapter 6 is what Jesus did for all of us. Obviously, there were some in Galatia who were still holding onto the doctrine that Paul had taught them when he was there. He refers to them as the "spiritual" ones. A spiritual Christian will emulate the actions of Jesus. Some of the believer's had turned to the doctrine of the Judaizer's, which was resulting in the production of sinful fruit in their lives. Paul's exhortation is: do not cause division and strife producing factions; instead, restore, restore with gentleness, kindness, and selflessness. Ultimately, this is what Jesus did for us. If we are not careful, we will want to write off people when they connect themselves to false doctrine and find themselves in a mess. Our fruit may want to say, "Oh well, we warned you, didn't we?" But remember the fruit of long suffering- patience in relationships.
 
If you walk around with a spirit of pride rather than humility about someone else's faults and failures, you may find yourself struggling in the same sin. Ultimately, these failing Galatians are failing because they have embraced a false Gospel. It should be understood that this is also the plight of the modern church.
 
 Pulpits across America have been infiltrated with a works based, social, or greed gospel that focuses on people's physical rather than spiritual needs, resulting in apathetic Christians, Christians who live lukewarm sinful lives, lives that are bound and incapable of seeing past their own two feet, incapable of seeing that there is a soul they work with, go to school with, or keep bumping into at Wal- Mart, a soul that is slipping into an eternal hell full of torment, torment and torture from ruthless demon spirits, and it all occurs because the Christian was bound in sin and asleep on the job.
 
You preach too hard man! No! I don't preach hard enough. How dare we fall asleep on the job. The very ones who have been entrusted with the oracles of God falling asleep at the wheel as humanity travels closer and closer to the end of this journey called the church age. Wake up Christian!
 
 

Arise! Rub rust away from lead filled eyes, yawn and stretch and stand up right.
Awaken sleepy Christian! Prepare! Engage the fight!
The battle rages!  Conflict ensues!
And the eternity of that soul right there includes the use of you !
 
 

 Galatians 6:2
 

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of (the) Christ.
 
 

Jesus didn't give up on you Christian. Don't you give up on another believer. You pray for them, exhort them, share the Gospel with them, and bear their burdens; we need to help each other through this thing. The forces of evil are trying to destroy us. Jesus bore our burdens and we need to be willing to bear the burdens of our brothers'. I can't bear your sin. Jesus already did that, but I can encourage you. I can help instruct you in the ways of God.
 
In the life of a true Christian, failure will produce a burdensome process of grief. This Christian requires the help of a spiritually mature brother or sister in the Lord, a Christian producing the Spirit's fruit, fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering; this failing Christian does not need the help of a lust producing Christian who is full of selfishness and has no time for anyone other than himself.
 
 

Galatians 6:3-4
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
 
 

The idea of the word prove describes a testing, testing similar to the way metal is tested; when fire is applied to metal, a lot of information is extracted. Different levels of temperature are required to produce melting points for different types of metals; additionally, when enough heat is applied, the impurities are removed from the metal's nature, resulting in a purer product.
 
Similarly, the life of the believer is tested through trials and the resulting response that ensues. Does the Christian respond in a God honoring way, or does he produce the lusts of the flesh in response to the heat that is applied to his life. In addition, trials and tribulations provide opportunities for Christians to reflect on their response to those situations, providing a context of how not to respond in the future.
 
The main idea in this passage though is related to what was said right before it. Previously, Paul said that the spiritual Christian restores a fallen brother with meekness and gentleness; essentially, he is concerned for the well-being of that person, but the idea here is that a Christian who lacks spiritual maturity may look at another person's failure as an opportunity to judge himself righteous in comparison. We have spoken of this multiple times, but this is called relative righteousness. In other words, relative to what they do, I am righteous; but you are not the standard; they are not the standard; I am not the standard; Jesus is the standard!
 
So the Christian who perceives himself as something spiritual when comparing himself to other Christians around him is deceiving himself. Instead, he should rightly judge his own fruit, his own responses to situations and circumstances; this provides a better context, a context for accurate assessment of his own Christianity.
 
Ultimately, if this assessment results in a passed test, he has something to glory about regarding himself. We need to be careful here because the idea is not a prideful glorying of self. Contrarily, the idea is that because the believer has submitted himself to the truth of the Gospel, faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified; he has been granted access to the presence and the grace, access to the presence and grace of God produces the life of God on the inside of the believer, resulting in the production of the Spirit's fruit in his life, resulting in joy (glorying) in the fact that the old man and his behaviors are dying daily, while the new man and his behaviors are resembling Jesus more and more every day.
 
 

Galatians 6:5
For every man shall bear his own burden.
 
 

Ultimately, a process of growth and spiritual maturity results where the believer is able to endure the trials and bear the burdens he has been called to bear, growing in Christ as he journeys over these hills and through these valleys, eventually able to help bear the burdens of others as they embark upon this journey called Christianity.

Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
 
 

As previously mentioned,, the fruit and the lusts act as a mirror in the life of the believer. Our behaviors reflect what our lives are producing. So when you review your life as a Christian, what do you see? What do you produce? It is imperative that you evaluate your actions because Paul said a man must examine himself.
 
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove (scrutinize) your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates (unfit, does not stand the test; therefore, it is cast away)?
 
Hopefully, when we examine our lives, we do not see too many of those lusts of the flesh being produced. When a person understands who he is in Christ, understanding that a supernatural transformation has taken place through faith, understanding that the old man died in Christ and that a new man has been resurrected, understanding that his life is not his own and that he has been bought with a price, this man, understands that his behavior must line up with the Word of God.
 
We can no longer walk around fulfilling the lusts of the flesh because the Holy Spirit in us will not permit it. Furthermore, Christians who attempt to live in sin will find themselves increasingly more uncomfortable, a lack of peace will pervade their life, ultimately resulting in one of two things: (1) he will be so uncomfortable he will repent and through the grace of God turn (2) he will continue in sin, be moved further from the presence of God, and ultimately, he will be destroyed (Proverbs 29:1).
 
(1). Love- we have already spoken about love. Love is who God is:
 
1 John 4:7-10
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
 
We described love through 1 Corinthians 13. We discussed the fact that if Love is God, then hate is Satan. The love of God produces joy and peace; whereas, the hate of Satan produces fear.
 
I need to tell someone tonight that the enemy of your soul is a terrorist. His hatred for you wants to destroy you, and he wants to rule you through the bondage of fear. But God is love and:
 
 

1 John 4:17-18
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 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.
 
(2). Joy - cheerfulness, calm delight.
 
In the society that we live in today, it is difficult for people to be calm, delightful and full of cheer; for the most part this is because, people are seeking joy and fulfillment everywhere other than in Christ. They look to their jobs, increase in pay, family, relationships, partying...
 
Fulfillment, or true joy, cannot come from external sources. True joy and fulfillment can only come when a person allows their lives to be swallowed up into the will of God. If you have invited Him into your life and asked Him to be the savior of your soul, but have not allowed Him to rule on the throne of your heart and be the Lord or king of your life, you do not have Godly joy flowing through you.
 
Joy can be present even when things don't go your way because when you really begin to relinquish control of your life to God, you come to the conclusion that He knows what is best for you; therefore, if it didn’t go the way you expected, then it wasn't what He wanted for you. Unfortunately, there is often a journey that must be travelled before we leave this place of selfishness and self- centeredness and become convinced that He knows better than us what is best for our lives. And many times instead of the Christian saying, “Here is my life Lord. Do with me what you see fit.” The Christian screams, “But I want it God!" with his fists balled up and stomping his feet on the ground.
 
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit; it is not something we manufacture. When we begin to trust God with our lives, and things go different than what we expect, we should be learning as we are maturing that He is grooming us for His perfect will, so be joyous in that. Be joyous in the fact that you didn't get what you wanted because it would have caused a bigger mess down the road- you didn't know it, but He did. Be joyous in the fact that while you might not have gotten what you desired then, it doesn't mean you never will. Be joyous because if it is His will for your life that you have it, when you do receive it, you will be ready to keep it, and not just lose it again like all the times before.
 
(3). Peace- quiet, rest, harmony, safety
 
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
 
Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful (persistent anxious worry) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 
In the first passage I used, the idea that Paul is communicating is that a person living in the midst of the kingdom of God is not attempting to fill himself with food and drink, those things will not bring fulfillment and happiness. Instead, the Kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. We have clearly established that true righteousness is a verdict spoken over a person's life by God when they place their faith in Jesus and what He accomplished for them when He died in their place on the cross.
 
The result is that they have been translated from darkness to light (Col 1:13), now connected to the vine (JN 15), there is access to a continual flow of grace given to the believer through the person of the holy Spirit, available exclusively because of what Jesus accomplished at Calvary. Righteous standing before God (In Christ) gives access to grace, which produces peace and joy in the life of the believer.
 
In the second passage, the idea of being careful for nothing literally means don't be anxious or constantly worried. God does not want us living in a perpetual state of worry. Worry is a result of fear that needs won't be met or that bad things will happen and there is no hope.
 
This is not victorious Christianity. When you feel the waves of worry trying to crash upon your shore, you get alone in the presence of God. Don't run to your Pastor! Don't run to the preacher! Don't run to your husband, your momma or your daddy! Run to Jesus! He gave His life so you could have access to the presence of God. When God is in your circumstances, there is peace! I don't care what the problem your facing is; when God is present, there is peace!
 
That brings me to the last point I want to make about peace. As Christians, we need to train ourselves to understand how to allow the peace of God to be the umpire in our lives. In other words, true Christians are constantly looking for direction in their lives, singles about relationships, couples about finances and children, individuals about jobs. Every day, there are decisions to be made, and as a Christian, you no longer have the right to make your own decisions that do not include God. Well, that isn't exactly true, you can do whatever you want; you can make your own decisions. I mean think about it, you always did before, why change now? Do it your way- why not it worked well for the last 20 years right?
 
Part of the beauty of serving God is us willingly relinquishing and turning our lives over to Him, entrusting every aspect of our lives to Him, allowing our will to be swallowed up in His will. He will not force you to go His way, but if you want peace you better learn how to.
 
And that is probably the strongest sign that you are in God's will: the peace of God is present in the midst of that circumstance. But that is something we must learn how to follow because we are used to controlling our own lives.
 
(4). Longsuffering- patience in relationships.
 
It never fails no matter how hard we try people get on our nerves, and we have a difficult time forgiving them. The fruit of longsuffering gives us patience. One important thing to remember is that God has been longsuffering with us. Think about all the times we failed Him, He never gave up on us.
 
But remember, it is fruit of the Spirit not a fruit of you. What does that mean? It means when you feel frustration and bitterness towards someone, you have to go to God, acknowledge you have something in you that you need Him to deal with and ask Him to produce the fruit of longsuffering in you.
 
(5). Gentleness- kindness, moral excellence.
 
(6). Goodness- uprightness of heart
 
(7). Meekness- humility
 
I lumped all three of these together because they are in some way similar. Basically, I just want to say that there is right and wrong. When a person is allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in his
life, he will do the right thing when it comes to other people. Now, I have to say that to some people this means that there is never any conflict going on. I don't agree; evil is constantly trying to destroy the truth of God, and sometimes there will be disagreements over certain things; however, the heart of a true Christian will have at its core concern for God's people and the truth- not aggrandizement of self.
 
(8). Temperance- self-control.
 
It is important that we understand this is not the same as will power. Will power is something that man produces through his own strength. Instead, temperance is a fruit of the Spirit. Yes, we have to say, “No”. We have to say when it is enough and stop, but the Holy Spirit is the one giving us the power to do it.
 
 

Galatians 5:24-26
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
 
 

Once again, this is how it is all possible. Because the old man was crucified with Christ, the old man's appetites and cravings were also crucified. Because we are dead to sin and alive to God, we can say no to the things that use to destroy us. But the Christian, who has had a position change and now lives in the neighborhood where grace abounds, should be exhibiting a lifestyle that reflects his new position. When we live properly in the new realm and grace is changing us, we will not be self-seeking; instead, we will be seeking His will for our lives.

Galatians 5:19-21 (Part 3)

Galatians 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
 
 

We have already covered much of this in detail and tonight we will finish the lusts of the flesh. Some may be wondering, why would you spend so much time on the lusts of the flesh? Take a look at the last verse of this passage: they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
 
I think that it is extremely important that we understand what God expects from us regarding our Christian behavior.  We live in the midst of a society that has influenced the church. Postmodern thought has crossed sacred boundaries and spilled onto holy ground. The postmodern mindset is that there is no, central focal point- (God), there isn’t any central truth- (the Word of God); instead, truth and focus is what we choose. We create our own boundaries and attach our own meanings to thoughts and words.
 
In this postmodern thought, who is to say what sin is? What may be sin for you may be fun for me. Who are you to apply an overall reaching standard, which provides a context for acceptable or unacceptable behavior? As a matter of fact, you offend me with your narrow-minded ways. I don't want to go to your church, if you are going to force those views on me.
 
The result is that the people perish in the pews, because the preacher allows society to dictate his message rather than the Word of God. He refuses, for fear of empty pews, to preach a message revealing sin. And the people remain in their sinful lifestyles; they continue in selfishness; they continue in pre-marital sexual relationships; they continue checking in at the bar on their Facebook page; they continue in homo-sexual lifestyles; they continue their addiction to porn; they continue to stagger, weakened in their anemic Christianity, sitting under a cancerous, false gospel that is destroying the life of God on the inside of them. This is why I point it out because the Christian should be given the truth so that he can properly evaluate his stance, so that he can properly determine whether he is truly in the faith, so that he will not be deceived, and when he breathes his last physical breath here, and takes his first spiritual breath in eternity that he will not awaken in an eternal torment that he was never warned about!
 
 

...strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like... These are the words we will be covering today. "and such like." This phrase informs us that this list is not all inclusive; instead, it is a roadmap intended to make believers aware of what type of behaviors are contrary to the character of Christ, and therefore, contrary to the character of a true Christian.
 
Our original teaching covered mostly sexual sins. Last week the ones we covered affected our social encounters with others. Those behaviors were rooted in selfishness; furthermore, many of the ones we will cover tonight are also exhibited in the lives of selfish people.
 
(1). Strife (KJV) Selfish ambition (NIV) Vigorous conflict; rivalry.
 
Many of us have faced this scenario at the workplace. Other people, through selfish ambition, attempt to make themselves look good, while making others look bad. This describes the "dog eat dog" world we live in- "every man for himself." But this mindset is contrary to the heart of God.
 
 

Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
 
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
 
 

The idea of strife can also be something that resides in the mind long before it is manifested outwardly:
 
 

James 3:13-16
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
 
 
 

(2). Seditions (KJV) Dissensions (NIV)- disunity; division: schisms and factions. This scenario can take place anywhere ranging from the church, to the house, to society in general.
 
The most obvious scenario to me would be a group of women who congregate by themselves and talk about others negatively; they talk about how the others are not as good as them, and in their heart, believe they are not good enough to be in their group. Therefore, they leave them hurting on the outside of the group, and the whole while they are gossiping about how unworthy they are; instead, of speaking life into them.
 
We have to be careful about this type of thing in the church, we can begin to think we are so right and everyone else is so wrong that we begin to separate and isolate ourselves from other members in the body of Christ.
 
(3). Heresies (KJV) Factions (NIV)- these two words seem to be completely different when compared between the two translations. Typically, when we hear the word heresies, we understand the word to mean false doctrine.  Therefore, it may seem as though someone missed it in the translation since heresies and factions seem to be so much different.  In reality, the word does have a factious idea to it. Strong's Greek Dictionary describes this word a couple different ways. One way it is described is as a group of men who have separated themselves and follow their own teachings.
 
Also, it is defined as capturing a city by storm. For the most part, we would believe that this word describes bad principles related to doctrine. Therefore, when these two concepts are combined, the result is a cult. You end up with groups of people with bad doctrine who separate themselves from the rest of the church, ultimately, resulting in taking its followers hostage like a city that is taken by storm.
 
(4). Envyings (KJV) Envy (NIV)- uneasy distress- torture of the mind- a grieving or emotional distress over the good of others, that any should be in an equal, or in a better condition than themselves.
 
Someone tells you they got a raise; you’re not happy; instead, you’re unhappy because you didn't get a raise, you didn't get to preach, you didn't get a new car, a new house, a new dress, and it eats at you; there is a lack of peace in your life over the whole situation.
 
(5). Murders (KJV)- this is the final result  of all the above lusts of the flesh boiling over in the heart of humanity. The final result is the heart of Cain: hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies and envy taking over, ultimately resulting in murder.
 
(6). Drunkenness and Revelry (KJV) Drunkenness and Orgies (NIV)- these lusts of the flesh are very much applicable to our lives in South Louisiana. The definition specifically uses the idea of intoxication and sexual intercourse, specifically orgies, in the midst of Bacchus worship- this my friends is Mardi gras.