Meager Beginnings

Meager Beginnings [Deut.26:1-19].

Harvest Offerings and Tithes

1"When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there, 2put some of the first produce from each harvest into a basket and bring it to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored. 3Go to the priest in charge at that time and say to him, `With this gift I acknowledge that the LORD your God has brought me into the land he swore to give our ancestors.' 4The priest will then take the basket from your hand and set it before the altar of the LORD your God. 5You must then say in the presence of the LORD your God, `My ancestor Jacob was a wandering Aramean who went to live in Egypt. His family was few in number, but in Egypt they became a mighty and numerous nation. 6When the Egyptians mistreated and humiliated us by making us their slaves, 7we cried out to the LORD, the God of our ancestors. He heard us and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression. 8So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with amazing power, overwhelming terror, and miraculous signs and wonders. 9He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey! 10And now, O LORD, I have brought you a token of the first crops you have given me from the ground.' Then place the produce before the LORD your God and worship him. 11Afterward go and celebrate because of all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household. Remember to include the Levites and the foreigners living among you in the celebration.

12"Every third year you must offer a special tithe of your crops. You must give these tithes to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows so that they will have enough to eat in your towns. 13Then you must declare in the presence of the LORD your God, `I have taken the sacred gift from my house and have given it to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, just as you commanded me. I have not violated or forgotten any of your commands. 14I have not eaten any of it while in mourning; I have not touched it while I was ceremonially unclean; and I have not offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God and have done everything you commanded me. 15Look down from your holy dwelling place in heaven and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us--a land flowing with milk and honey--just as you solemnly promised our ancestors.'

A Call to Obey the LORDs Commands

16"Today the LORD your God has commanded you to obey all these laws and regulations. You must commit yourself to them without reservation. 17You have declared today that the LORD is your God. You have promised to obey his laws, commands, and regulations by walking in his ways and doing everything he tells you. 18The LORD has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. 19And if you do, he will make you greater than any other nation. Then you will receive praise, honor, and renown. You will be a nation that is holy to the LORD your God, just as he promised."

The Bottom Line: It's a huge moment for Isreal and it's decendants with a party going on for the occassion of the harvest of the frust - fruits and of course conquering the land. They had alot of emphasis upon the prayer of confession to be given at the time of the harvest. The had made a transition from a Nomadic existence to a settled community made only possible by the Lord's blessing. His faithfulness and faithfulness in persevering Isreal as a Ntion into the land. They had a worship party going on in the Lord's behalf as a unity of them whom saw his faithfulness in acknowledging God in rejoicing in God's goodness which was in-riched in mercy .It had extended from generations from way back to the people of those times. The tithes were collected to be given to the widows, orphans ,immigrants, levites as a regular tithe. God had given the Isrealites the land of milk and honey as He had promised them In which God continued to bless them and the land that they we on to live. In essence they were required to alway's listen unto the Lord's voice when He spoke to the children of Isreal.They are the (Second Generation ) of the people of Isreal. They were blessed more because they are God's choosen people. They ezpressed thier glory unto the world because of what God had done before them. catcmo2006

Help for the confused

Help for the confused

When can one finally leave this Shepherding movement?

When someone is finally fed up tithing as it continues to increase and giving their hard-earned money to the church to further its own agenda in the name of Christ.

When they have finally said the last confession of sin to their prayer partners and discipler .

When one becomes tired of writing down their own sins for their discipler to help them, when they too struggle with similar weaknesses and they realize they can't be helped from another humans hand.

When they are sick and tired of focusing on their and others deepest secrets and darkest sins and finally want to focus on Christ to be set free.

When they are tired of going out to fulfill their promised quotas for disciples at all hours and places.

When they are tired of showing up for baptisms with the rest of the church at all hours of the day or night.

When they tire of getting Gods blessing on themselves because of their performance when it is good and their discipler leaning on them when it is not.

When they tire of participating or being the recipient in interrogation session, that go late into the night not for reconciliation but with the object of persuading one on the "errors of his ways" and his "factious" behavior.

When one is tired of being manipulated into doing things for God that in their conscience doesn't sit right, that it might be right to do but its the coercion and expecting them to do what everyone else does.

When they become overwhelmed with hearing how great they are and how all the other churches are Laodicean.

When they see clearly that they are claiming they are the only true church in the world and its all up to them.

When they finally are offended to hear their parents and friends they grew up with and are born again Christians are all going to hell because they are not part of their Church.

When they see that there are others Christians in other churches and they are stealing sheep and shearing them.

When they realize the church has orchestrated an atmosphere for the young to be comfortable and participate.

When they realize the church will never change unless the leadership does and the self appointed prophet/ apostle is not budging but keeps to his agenda.

When someone finally realizes this is not a balanced life and they are trying to have them live as an apostle would who had a special calling in the churches beginnings.

When they are tired of asking permission and advice for their own life decisions and are willing to say I can with God make my own decisions And when they decide to think for themselves no matter what the cost even being shunned by their "brothers and sisters" as a result then they are able to leave and not look back but forward to the real new life God has promised in his Son.

They then don't have to worry about reconciliation service to bring them back as fall away's because they'll know the true freedom that everyone has been sharing with them about the grace of God.

Only the real Jesus the life giver can have someone set free from religious rituals, lawful practices, and legalistic Christianity that is disguised as the true one. Ask Christ to forgive you of your pride and trying to work for his approval, ask forgiveness of your sins . Come to the cross instead of the water and have the real blood of Jesus be applied to your account.

What happens when one wants to leave

We cannot underestimate this movements hold they have on their members. Someone can be convinced that they have been abused and been betrayed of their confidentiality and still have a hard time leaving. They can be convinced they are not the only true church leave successfully and the next thing you hear is that they are back inside again! Why?

When someone finally gets the guts to sit down with the leaders to tell them their feelings and the problems they see they are subjected to 2 types of coercion. One is the threatening guilt trip laid on them like they always had problems and did not really surrender to God or were not honest about their confessions. If it is done this way its usually over behavior or doctrine. Clichés' such as don't you trust us, we depended on you and your letting us down Your turning your back on God you'll go to hell and so will your loved ones, you don't want that to happen do you? A dog always returns to his own vomit !

The other approach is more subtle. It is apologetic, we are sorry if we hurt you, they convince him or her that they need them. That they will be missed and they are so important to the Church. This of course is rarely not done in sincerity because later on they will confront them on not living up to the requirements and try to have them tote the line. Either way the member is coerced not to leave. if you find someone who wants to leave I don't recommend you let them meet with the leaders alone. Go with them for support and don't let them manipulate you with their pushy antics.

What to do after you leave

Relax, you need time to recuperate. God understands your human, your going to have feelings and emotions to work through. Take it slow, pray, ask for God to show you where it began and renounce what you have done to yourself and others. Let him start afresh in your life. Let God deal with you first before you go back out into the field. He doesn't expect you to do this immediately. Know that the Holy Spirit is the comforter he's your best friend in times of loneliness, let him minister to you. Rely on God and not man. Shut yourself up with the Lord learn the voice of your shepherd. Get back to a balanced life as you feel ready to make new friends in another church or at work. Be careful not to be paranoid or cynical or critical which are all human reactions to leaving an abusive setting. The healing process can be long or short but it can't be rushed or controlled. It has to be God that heals for it to be genuine. Learn from your experience don't become bitter but better. Know that you just got a lesson in spiritual discernment and that you can be used in this way to help other. Let you trials and tribulations be turned around for Gods glory and not let any bitterness or anger overtake you. Know that their are lots of people out there that share your hurt and are willing to help , your not alone. If you need help we would love to be able to assist you in your transition into freedom.

East Side Baptist Church

19901 East 78 Highway
Independence, MO 64057
816.796.0955
Fax: 816.796.8406

Deliverance Ministries & Demon Possession

Deliverance Ministries & Demon Possession

It has become popular today to rely on deliverance for the quick and powerful way to rid our faults and warfare. Those who teach demon possession in Christians are Neil T. Anderson, Peter Wagner, and a host of others. Ray Bubeck goes even further saying "I ask you to look all through the sexual organs and function of my body for any evil spirit activity. He goes on to ask the Holy Spirit to "search out all my bones, blood circulation, nerve circuitry, muscles, tissues, glands, hair, skin and every cell for any wicked spirit activity against my physical body." (Spiritual warfare basics pg.23 Mark. Bubeck)

With teaching Christians having demons almost anything can happen. What is neglected is the idea that they can lie and deceive those who are doing the deliverance! Satan can certainly have his demons control Christians from the outside as they give their will over into doing their temptations. Practicing Sin still creates bondage and can open one up to having little control over certain aspects in their lives.. This is called oppression and it certainly is different than possession. The word used in the gospels is demonized (Greek Diamonizomai) meaning to be controlled by a demon. The common expression is "to have a demon" Mt.11:18 which expresses residency. By this it means this entity can have direct control of a person from the inside. With this comes a certain degree of derangement in the mind or physical upset in the body. (Mk.5:1-20 Mt.12:43-45.) It is best that one should distinguish control from harassment.

1 Thess.2:18 The degree of control is different for a Christian than a non Christian. As Christians the enemy can control from with out not from within even though at times it can seem the same as possession. With the believer deliverance is a matter of the will. With a non believer they have no spiritual authority 1 Jn.5:18: "He who is born of God keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him. This is an assurance and is clarified in the Greek that he cannot lay hold of or fasten to. In Jn.17:15 Jesus prays that "they should not be taken out of the world but that the father should keep them from the evil one." Again a provision of not being in a relationship with the enemy that we were formerly delivered from. We need faith to endure, because there is no promise of permanent deliverance from evil. We are always to pray for deliverance from evil (Mt. 6:13). as long as we are in this world there will be evil encroaching upon us. There is no prayer, method or incantation for relief, just faith to persevere.

1 Jn.5:21 John tells the believer "to keep from idols" while the scripture is clear behind an idol is a demon, John does not tell us to keep from demons. There is no concern raised like this anywhere in the Bible. We are warned of the unfruitful works of darkness but the bible never teaches that light becomes darkness unless in the case one abandons the faith.

The Biblical concept is that man is comprised of two components. The material body and the immaterial spirit. Those who promote Christian demonization say that the unclean spirit dwells in our body and not the spirit. What they overlook is that the old nature still dwells in us and that it expresses itself by the body. Yielding to the desires of the flesh can bring one into bondage but this certainly cannot be put in the same category as demonization. While it makes one do the will of Satan instead of God it should not be confused with occupation. In Gal. 5:19-22, much of what is blamed on demons is really man's fallen nature, expressing itself through his flesh. Demons can entice and exaggerate our fleshly weaknesses but the blame lies in ourselves .

While demonic power can affect the outside of our body and our emotions and minds they can never come into the innermost man, one needs to distinguish between oppression and possession .Satan has a limit in dealing with a believer otherwise we are no better off then one who is a non believer. If every time they sin it is blamed on demonic activity than what would be the difference when we sin. Then Christ cannot protect His people.

Demons cast out of Christians are not seen in the scriptures. Neither are they left over from the old life nor new occupants. The scripture absolutely militates against this. We are the temple of God not of both God and the devil's emissaries. What a confusion for those involved in binding their own personal demon spirits.

Larry Thomas warned against what is being promoted as demon invasion in Christians. "The real potential for problems in the Christian life is blaming things on the demonic and neglecting normal Christian growth and maturity. It is this kind of lack of maturity in the lives of many believers, because they are looking for the quick fix of a Neil Anderson deliverance, that will prove the greater damage. I am concerned that believers wake up to the false ways of Dr. Anderson." (Biblical Perspectives Vol.V, no.3 1992)

Gil Rugh comments on this by saying "Believers cannot be possessed by demons…The scripture is clear on this matter. …Christ's work was sufficient. There is no further deliverance that must take place. If there were, salvation in Christ would be incomplete. If the church would stop and think through its theology of scripture we would realize that something is drastically wrong with what is being promoted by those who teach that believers can be demonized." (Gil Rugh Demonization and the believer- an unbiblical teaching exposed, pg.26 1994)

Paul writes of the spiritual army of the devil that he lists in Eph.6: 12 in Col.2:15 "Having disarmed principalities and powers He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." The devil and his angels fate is already sealed yet God allows them to continue. But they have no power over a Christian. He works in the sons of disobedience and will continue to do so until he is bound by God, not us. He can lie to us and lead us into sin by its a matter of our will bending to his lies. all one has to do is resist and he is defeated.

As Christians we are Christ’s possession owned by God. (1 Cor.6:20, 1 Jn.4:15) We have been bought with a price and are born again of incorruptible seed 1 Pt.1:23. 1Jn.4:4 tells us "Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world." The Holy Spirit is able to keep us separate and clean when we allow him to do so. If we give in we can’t say he is weaker it really is a matter of choice and an exercise of our will. For one to believe in Christian demon possession a number of factors need to be ignored. Christ is our good shepherd would he let his people get wolfed. While we may unwittingly step over the line this does not annul the grace and protection of the Lord. This would mean God deals with us as a legalist every time wittingly or not we violate his boundaries we lose his protection and are at the mercy of the enemy. It is true that certain areas need to be avoided like the plague (the occult, sex outside marriage, homosexuality, and various altered states of conciousness). Yet God is greater than these. If not there are no guarantees for anything when we do wrong. We would walk in a state of paranoia not victory.

God does not sleep on the job, nor has he put his protection in our hands and strength. We are to be strong in the grace of the Lord not be paranoid of the enemy.

In Eph.4:27 we are told not to give the devil a opportunity (foothold, a place, a beachhead.) This is a military term meaning to capture an area within enemy territory. We can give areas cover to the enemy because they are not submitted over to the Lord. In Eph.5:18 He also tells us to be continually filled with the Spirit. We cannot have a victorious Christian walk without yielding and submitting to Gods ways. To be filled means to be controlled by the Spirit which means not being disobedient and doing what is right in the Lord’s eyes. The cure for one taken captive in disobedience is Jm.4:7 "Submit yourselves to God "first" ( whatever you are disobedient in change your behavior by yielding to the Spirit) "then" resist the devil and he will flee". If you are dead to the sin he is tempting you with he cannot make you react. Peter also agrees stating "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeing who he may devour, whom you are to resist steadfast in the faith". We are not to have power encounters and conversations but stand in the Lord by faith, "trust" we lean on him the battle is his, if we lean on ourselves the battle is ours. The main objective is to give up no ground to the enemy.

Paul says we were once of darkness now we are light. Light always rules over the darkness. Try bringing darkness in the room when the light is on. Only if there is no light there can there be darkness. Scripture never says that we can go on and off like a light switch.

While the scripture says that the Holy Spirit can dwell with sin and that He can dwell in the presence of a demon, it certainly is different to say a demon can dwell with the Holy Spirit. We see the violent reaction of demons to the presence of Jesus and what is Holy. God does not have to flee but demons do. The Scripture shows them in agony just being near Jesus.

1Cor. 3:16: "do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you." It is not the Holy Spirit plus a demon or demon's!

The consequences of believing one is possessed can certainly be even more devastating than actually being inhabited. The focus than shifts from actually dealing with the problem and taking responsibility for one actions to blaming it on a unseen enemy a demon which is not even there. The lie of having the demon can be just as bad and what one really needs deliverance from is the lie of being inhabited with so called possession.

In deliverance services we are told to find out the head demon by asking his name and the rest will follow. At the time of Jesus there were exorcisms performed within Judaism. For this to be accomplished the exorcist needed to communicate with the demon. In this exercise the name of the head demon would be invoked and told to leave. Any other sub demons would also have to obey. Today the name of Jesus is petitioned for power used as a incantation from everything such as releasing wealth and healing and certainly to take back things for god.

Deliverance ministries are conducted in various forms from personal counseling to group deliverances. This consists of people walking around the room and led to people by the spirit speaking to them. They then lay their hands on them and call out the head strongman first and the rest eventually follow. Names such as Leviathan, spirits of anger, jealousy and religious spirits are called out. Ancestral curses are broken also. All these so called demons are listed as works of the flesh that we all are still capable of doing. Deliverance books are written like psychological manuals that claim that if one follows this methodology they will be successful, with the help of the Lord of course. Much of what is derived in these books is from personal experiences which are outside Biblical parameters and certainly not mentioned in Scripture. catcmo2006

EXPOSING CULTS

When many of us think of a "cult", we automatically think of groups such as Moonies, Hari Krishna, and the like. We almost never hear sermons on cults, and more rarely even acknowledge that in our world today there are in fact many cults out there masquerading as Christian based organizations, easily misleading those who are searching for God and salvation that only Christ can give.

How do you know the difference between cultic teachings, and true teaching? With many non-Christian cults, it's easy and fairly obvious. On the flip side of the coin, when you start looking at the many different doctrines and denominations in the Christian world today, it's not as easy to determine which are cults, and which are not.

Words of Caution

The Body of Christ has many parts (1Cor 12:12-27). When discussing the discernment of cults we must be cautious that we do not mistake simple differences in doctrine or denominational differences as cultic. To do so would be the equivalent of a "witch hunt" resulting in persecution of not only the innocent, but the workings of God and the Holy Spirit. To falsely accuse the Holy Spirit is not something any God-fearing person ever wants to do. So anytime you accuse someone of false teachings and cultic activities, proceed with prayer and caution.

Although Jesus prayed for unity of the church, and Paul warned against separation and disunity among believers, such differences do not necessarily mean that you are in, or have experienced the teachings of a cult. In fact, scripture tells us that there will be different ministries, but of the same Lord, and differences of workings, but the same God working in all things (1Cor 12:5-6). Scripture also tells us that just because someone does not belong to our "group", or is not "with us" does not mean the other "group" or physical church is wrong, a cult, or promoting false teachings (Mar 9:39-40, Luke 9:49-50).

So how do you know who may promoting cultic activities, thoughts, or misleading well meaning believers with false teachings?

Signs of Cultic Beliefs

There are many clear signs of cults and false teachings. Many are very COMMON signs even when discussing the various different cults:

• Teachings that contain "extra biblical" or "special revelations". The bible contains 66 books in the Old and New testaments. Many cults add their own revelations that take precedence over the bible. Or, more commonly, you will see a limited number of scriptures taken out of context, resulting in totally different interpretations. (I have seen many times where specific scriptures are referenced to support a doctrinal position, yet the scripture even by itself does not have anything to do with the intended reference!) - Gal 1:9, Rev 22:18-19
• Salvation by Works. Any teaching that encourages people to seek a relationship with God apart from the person and work of Jesus is in error. For some, this may mean a complete rejection of Christ and his work, or more commonly a partial rejection that adds or takes away from the gospels and Christ's work. Even more common are claims or interpretations of scripture that say besides trusting or having faith in Christ, that you must do certain other things to be saved. The Gospels consist of salvation by grace, nothing more nothing less. - Eph 2:8-9
• The teaching of anything not "completely" scriptural in nature, teaching of partial truth using part of scripture out of context, teachings based on someone's "interpretation of scripture", or teachings and interpretations that conflict with other scriptures. Many cults hold up just a few words or sentences to support their beliefs, and totally ignore the bulk of other scripture that does not support their beliefs. Awhile back I reviewed a bible study where one of the categories listed was titled; "the promise of tongues". But when you read the scriptures used to prove the author's point in context, you do not find the "promise of tongues" anywhere! Instead, you find the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit, of which speaking in tongues is just one of the many signs or gifts bestowed on believers when the promise is fulfilled. By purposely confusing "receiving" the Holy Spirit with "receiving" the gift of tongues, the "interpreted" scripture is twisted to match the doctrine being taught. - Gal 1:9, Rev 22:18-19
• Denial or lack of Full recognition of Jesus Christ as God's son, equal with the Father. Cults either totally deny Christ, or relegate him to a position less than what he merits (such as saying Jesus was a prophet instead of the Messiah) - 1John 2:22, 1Cor 3:11
• Cults often encourage and/or create division among all believers, preaching a doctrine of isolation. In many cases, this extends to separation from, or restricting communication with family members and friends outside the church, again emanating from mislead "interpretations" of scripture where the "interpretation" conflicts with other scriptures regarding the same subject. True Christians preach and practice unity not just among themselves, but among other believers as well understanding that the body of Christ is not made up of an eye or a foot, but many different parts. - Eph 4:13, John 17:11, 1Cor 1:10-13

False Teaching, False Doctrines were Prophesied

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve" (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).

"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’ These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit" (Jude 17–19).

How to know the difference

"Evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:13–15).

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world" (1 John 4:1–3).

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." (Matthew 7:15-18)

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"All the way through the Bible we are warned against false prophets and false teachers ‘who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves’ (Matthew 7:15). Sometimes it is extremely difficult for Christians to discern a false prophet. . . . Jesus spoke of ‘false prophets’ . . . who will ‘show great signs and wonders . . . to deceive, if possible, even the elect’ (Matthew 24:24)." - Billy Graham

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These are difficult times for all Christians. Activity in the Middle-east is sparking more and more discussion among Christians about bible prophecies, people are thinking seriously about how each of us can have a unique identification placed on our bodies, children are killing their parents, their young brothers and sisters, school mates, Christian leaders are being used by Satan, causing others to question the sincerity of Christianity itself, even the most popular television shows preach a message where many sins are now portrayed as "normal", and worst of all the body of Christ, the true church is divided into hundreds of doctrines split into so many denominations that it is difficult for people to determine what is of Christ, and what is not. There is no unity among followers of Christ. Everyone who has a church says "our teaching will lead you to eternal life", not realizing that it's not a physical church, a variation on doctrine or a certain denomination Jesus is coming back for.

A cult can be defined as a religious group which teaches doctrines or beliefs which deviate from the broad consensus of orthodox Christian doctrine. Cults either distort biblical truth or focus on half-truths. The truth which they do proclaim is often mixed with doctrinal error and is therefore dangerous. Cults succeed in deceiving many.

What is a false teaching? It is any teaching which is contrary to the basic doctrines of God’s Word, such as those having to do with the Trinity, the virgin birth of Christ, His atoning death, His bodily resurrection and second coming, salvation by grace through faith, the bodily resurrection of all believers, and the reality of heaven and hell.

More than ever, this is a time for Christians to pray for guidance and for God to light the path to his Son so that we are not mislead by the many false prophets and ministers of light who in reality are knowingly and unknowingly serving the interest of Satan.

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (Mark 14:38).

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:8–9, NIV).

Pray for wisdom, study God's word with the heart and mind of a child, placing your faith and understanding in God, not man.

Yours in Christ,catcmo2006

FRIENDS

Friends, to be friendly to one, wish him or her well, an associate, a companion, one bidegroom's friends whom on his behalf ask the hand of the bride and rendered him various services in closing of the marriage and celebrating it.

Jam 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.[James 4:4].

"ENEMIES OF GOD"

I. THERE ARE TWO OPPOSING KINGDOMS THAT RULE IN THE UNIVERSE.

A. The kingdom of God which is a kingdom of light and life.

B. The kingdom of Satan which is a kingdom of death and darkness.

C. You are in one or the other of these kingdoms.

1. If you are not in the kingdom of light, you are in the kingdom of darkness.

2. These kingdoms are mutually exclusive so that you cannot be in both.

3. Paul asked,

a. "What fellowship has light with darkness?"

b. "What concourse has Christ with belial?"

4. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters, for he will hate the and love the other, or he will hold to the one and despise the other, you cannot serve God and Mammon."

5. To be a friend to one is to be an enemy to the other.

D. At the present time this world is under the rule of Satan and his kingdom.

1. The world originally belonged to God by the right of creation.

2. When God created the world for man, He said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth."

3. The world was then for a short time ruled by man, for God had given him dominion over it.

4. But man forfeited the world over to Satan, who rules over the world at the present time.

a. The Bible tells us that whoever we yield ourselves servants to obey, his servants we become.

b. When they obeyed the suggestion of Satan to eat the forbidden fruit, it was a double action. Obedience to Satan, disobedience to God.

c. Thus they were no longer in the kingdom of God but by the exercise of their will they transferred into the kingdom of Satan.

d. They made a startling discovery, the door only swung one way. There was no way back into the kingdom of God.

e. Man now became a slave to sin and was ruled by Satan.

f. But God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world, to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved, and he the believeth is not condemned.

g. Jesus paid the price to redeem man from his bondage to sin, and the power of Satan.

h. He made the way so that man by the exercise of his will could be delivered from the powers of darkness and come into the kingdom of light.

i. Paul said that the Lord had called him to go to the Gentiles: To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in Me.

II. TODAY, YOU HAVE THE SAME DECISION TO MAKE THAT ADAM MADE, TO OBEY GOD OR TO OBEY SATAN. TO LIVE IN THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT AND LIFE, OR THE KINGDOM OF DEATH AND DARKNESS.

A. James tells us that friendship of the world is enmity with God, that if you become a friend of the world, you are an enemy of God.

1. John said, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, for he that hath the love of the world in his heart has not the love of the Father."

a. The world is very attractive and appealing.

b. It appeals to our flesh.

c. John said, "All that is of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life are of the world and are not of God."

2. The folly of choosing the world over God.

a. God has a true love for you, and desires only your best.

b. Satan will offer you the world, in order to destroy your Soul. To yield your life to him is to guarantee your destruction.

c. Does it make sense to you to receive a few moments pleasure now and eternal torment?

d. Paul said that our light afflictions which are for a moment worketh an eternal weight of glory.

e. So we may suffer a little scorn from the world for our belief in the Bible and in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. But we will spend eternity with Him in His kingdom.

3. The wise man will look to discover the long term consequences of the short term benefit.

a. What is the end of it? This is the question the foolish person never asks.PRO 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.JER 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

4. Isaiah said, "Woe unto him that strives with his maker."

a. How foolish can you be to strive with God?

b. You are in a no win situation, for to win is to lose.

B. Jehoshaphat was a king over Judah, he was a good king and sought the Lord. There was a very wicked and worldly king who reigned over Israel, his name was Ahab. We read that Jehoshaphat went to Samaria to join affinity with Ahab. Ahab was going to war against Syria, and he asked Jehoshaphat if he wanted to go with him, and Jehoshaphat answered that he was one with him. In the battle Ahab was killed, and Jehoshaphat had a close call with death, and fled in terror. When he returned to Jerusalem the prophet came out to meet him and rebuked him, and said to him, Should you help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore the LORD'S wrath is upon you.

1. His sin was loving those who hated the Lord. Trying to be a friend to the world.

2. James calls them adulterers and adulteresses. He is using these words in a spiritual sense. They were supposed to be married to the Lord, but were in love with other gods. The gods of passion, greed, and materialism.

III. GOD CALLED ON ISRAEL TO COME AND REASON TOGETHER. HE IS BASICALLY SAYING "LETS THINK THIS THING THROUGH." AS MY TEACHER USED TO SAY TO THE CLASS, "PUT YOUR THINKING CAPS ON NOW."

A. He gives a diagnosis of the unreasonable things they were doing.

1. He had nourished and brought up children who rebelled against Him.

2. They were not considering the long term consequences of the things they were doing.

3. They had forsaken the Lord and provoked Him to anger.

4. They had become a morally sick nation.

B. He then offers His prescription for the cure.

1. Clean up your act.

2. Put away your evil.

3. Start doing what is right.

C. He promises them that if they will follow this prescription they can enjoy the good life.

D. It makes sense to live the good life.

E. The good life is to love God and live in His Kingdom.

F. Jesus told us to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven."

G. Are you an enemy of God? Would you like to be a friend of God?catcmo2006