End Times: The Spirit of Our Age

 Editor's Note:  This post may be somewhat controversial.  It has been written as a warning of judgments that face our world as we approach the day of judgment.  

A church that I pioneered in Riverside, California recently celebrated twenty years of service to that community.  Looking back, it seems like a simpler time.  There was no real threat of terrorism in the US at that time.  The economy was working fairly well.  Race relations seemed less tense.

The church opened on August 5, 2001 and a few short weeks later was the attack on the World Trade center.  I remember thinking that this would cause people to come to church and hear from God.  It did to a certain extent.  People came to church, but not many stayed for the long term.  After they began to feel better, they went back to their old habits with regard to God.

I believe that through that attack, something changed in America.  Something was released into, not just the US, but the entire world – A spirit – the spirit of our age.  That’s what I want to post on today:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (NKJV)
^2:1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, ² not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. ³ Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

The Spirit of Our Age – Lawlessness

I don’t want you to think that this is political.  I am not going to preach politics:

Romans 13:1 (NKJV)
^13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

I believe this – God is in control and God can use governments for His purposes; for His own reasons.  He used the Assyrians, who were terrorists; pagan, godless enemies of Israel.  He sent His people to Babylon to serve under Nebuchadnezzar, another godless enemy. For seventy years they were subject to the whims of a corrupt government and king.

God used those nations and those authorities as His instrument of judgment.  His purpose was to draw the people back to Him.  That was His purpose for those leaders, so:

Joe Biden is the President of the United States; God has ordained him for this time, in the same way that Donald Trump was ordained by God.  This is not about politics or who’s the president, but in these times:

“In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics’.  All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia. – George Orwell 1984

I believe that Governments are being used by God, at this time, to prepare for the return of Jesus.  Th main thrust of what I’m writing about is this: On September 11, 2001 a spirit was released into the earth.  It has changed the course and direction of the entire world!

Look at these changes that have taken place in the United States.

1.      The “Patriot Act.”  Formally titled: The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, is intended to give the government the ability to monitor terrorists’ phone calls and be able to react accordingly to protect the nation from further attacks.

As a result, certain rights regarding search and seizure have been disregarded.  Your phone and computer are being monitored twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  Whereas in the past this was only possible through the use of a warrant, it is now routine.

It’s important to understand that the rights outlined in the constitution are God-given rights.  The Bill of Rights doesn’t list what rights the government has granted us, it lists the rights that the government can’t take away from us.

2.       We are seeing great government overreach, that’s when the governments steps beyond the rights we’re guaranteed.  An example would be the “Vaccine Mandate and Passport”.  You can’t work without the vaccine.  You can’t go into stores or restaurants without a vaccine.  You aren’t able to have customers in your stores unless your staff is vaccinated.

Revelation 13:17 (NKJV)
^13:17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

 I’m not saying that the vaccine is good or bad.  I’m not saying whether or not you should be vaccinated. I’m not even saying that this is the mark, but it sure looks like practice for the mark.  It’s conditioning to get people to accept it.

3.       There’s a lack of accountability on the part of our leaders.  A drone strike in Afghanistan is reported to have killed two leaders of ISIS-K, when, in fact, it killed a relief worker and seven innocent children.  The president of the United States refuses to even speak about it!

4.       Look at the massive lies in our media. You don’t know what’s true anymore.  You don’t really know what happened.  You can’t tell if it's news or propaganda.

Another quote from George Orwell in his book 1984: 

The very concept of truth is fading out in our world.  Lies will pass into history.

5.       Finally, there’s the censorship of ideas and words that don’t fit into the political narrative.  The Hunter Biden laptop story comes to mind.  On social media the reporting about it was censored.  It was called misinformation; "Russian Disinformation".  They said it was to protect us from being misled, but recently, it was proven to be true.

I’m not being political.  This is not a political issue it is a spiritual issue, that’s pulling us into the time of judgment.  This spirit has a name.  It’s name is lawlessness.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 (NKJV)
^2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

The spirit of lawlessness already exists in our world.  So, we can say the spirit of antichrist already exists…and it is growing in power every day.  These are indeed perilous times.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)
^3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Look at this description of people in the last days.  Does it seem to you that more and more people are acting exactly like that?

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud…

Billionaires, politicians, Hollywood actors – The Elite!

disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors…

Antifa, BLM, CRT, anarchists, Marxists – The Self Righteous!

headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…

Pedophiles, hedonists, homosexuals, transgenders – The Deviants!

What do these people have in common? A spirit of lawlessness.  They have turned their backs on God.  Look at this:

Romans 1:28-31 (NKJV)
^1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

This is the spirit we’re witnessing in these last days.  It’s the spirit of lawlessness – the spirit of antichrist.

Our society is often defined as a “post-Christian society.”

Before Covid – It was estimated that eight thousand churches closed every year.  It is estimated that in 2021, that number could climb to sixteen thousand.  That equates to roughly forty churches every day. – church answers.com

People are leaving the church, both in-person and on-line; but this is prophesied in verse three of our text.

2 Thessalonians 2:3a (NKJV)
^2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first…

The falling away is happening right before our eyes.  It is a product of the release of the spirit of lawlessness.  The next thing will be rapture, followed by the revealing of the “man of sin” – the lawless one; the antichrist.  We are very close to these events.  My thought is that the antichrist is alive and waiting to be revealed.

Do Not Be Fooled

The stakes are very high in our times.  Time is winding up.  We are rapidly approaching the end of the church age.  I believe we will see the rapture of the church:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV)
^4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

“He who restrains will be taken out of the way.” This is from our text in verse 7:

2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NKJV)
^2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

I want you to think a moment how the Holy Spirit restrains.  It’s through Christians, through our lifestyles, through our words, and through our testimonies – the pressure that's placed on society by our beliefs.  This is why it is important for Christians to vote their consciences.

When we are removed what will be left to influence sinners?  The answer to that is their own morality, but their morality leads to abortion;

According to the CDC there are 186 abortions per 1,000 live births.  That equals 2,326 abortions every day, about 98 per hour, or one abortion every 37 seconds. – Guttmacher Institute

Their morality allows them to fight for the rights of pedophiles.  The theme for the 2015 Gay Pride Parade in Taipei was “Act Your Love, Not Your Age”. The meaning was that the age of consent should be repealed. 

Their morality allows them to fill school libraries with transgender and pornographic material.  The following is from a news article appearing on WND.com:

Stacy Langton opened by explaining that she watched what had happened at a Texas school board meeting after parents discovered two books accessible to their children, "Lawn Boy" by Jonathan Evison and "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe. Langton looked for and found the books at her own child’s school, Fairfax High School, as well as other places in the county, including Robinson Secondary School where students as young as 12 could access the books.

Langton discovered that the books depicted pedophilia and sex between men and boys, including one book that showed a fourth-grade boy performing oral sex on an adult male. – This is from Sept. 2021

https://www.wnd.com/2021/09/mom-reveals-books-school-libraries-depicting-child-porn-pedophilia/

As this woman testified before the school board, they shut off her microphone.  Those are just three examples.  I haven’t even mentioned human trafficking, slavery, sexual abuse of children and women, racism, political corruption or the thousands of other perversions and defilements, their morality allows them to be a part of.  If the restraint of the Holy Spirit is removed, anything goes.  Lawlessness will abound and the “lawless One” will arise.

Let me also just say they will be happy when you are gone.  They’ll be happy when you aren’t preaching your morals to them.  They’ll be happy – until the fruits of their sin begin to be felt.  They’ll rejoice in the antichrist until the judgments begin:

Revelation 6:2 (NKJV)
^6:2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

I believe this is the rise of the antichrist, a counterfeit of Jesus, and a political leader.  He comes first as a man of peace, but eventually:

Revelation 6:4 (NKJV)
^6:4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

This is war.  Peace will be taken from the earth, by the same political leader.  He will make war against the tribulation saints.

Revelation 6:5-6 (NKJV)
^6:5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."

 The black horse represents famine; food shortages.  The rider, again the antichrist, will determine who gets food and who doesn’t.  This is the time that the mark of the beast will be implemented.  No one can buy and sell without the mark. Finally:

Revelation 6:8 (NKJV)
^6:8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

Violence, pestilences, wild animals, a quarter of the world’s population will be destroyed.  There will be other judgments as well, martyrs, earthquakes, asteroids and many people will die.  Hell will follow with him.

This is to what the spirit of lawlessness leads.  At the end of all of this Jesus will come back.  The power of the antichrist will be destroyed.  That will be followed by the Day of Judgment.

Why is All This Necessary

What is the purpose of God’s judgment?  It’s always to draw people back to Him.  He uses governments for judgments.  This post is a wake-up call, that was my intention.  I believe that we are posed on the edge of the rapture and subsequent judgments. 

World evangelism is like igniting a fire that consumes the earth.  I’m using this post to emphasize the urgency of the fire.  We stand at the crossroads of eternity and judgment.  The Door Church in Tucson, Arizona has always been an ignition point.  We have lit a blaze that is burning right now in countless cities and nations.  The fire has been lit by the releasing of men and their wives into the nations to enlarge the kingdom of God.  Pray that it becomes a conflagration befoe the church age winds up.

John 9:4 (NKJV)
^9:4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

The Night is coming.  The spirit of lawlessness is like twilight.  The Darkness draws near!

Deliverance: Goliath Had A Brother!

I’ve been a pastor for nineteen years.  In fact, August 1, 2001 was the day we opened the church we founded in Riverside, California.  In those nineteen years, I have seen a lot, and one of the things I have seen over and over is people who just can’t seem to break away from certain sins.  It’s like they’re trapped in that thing – They think they’ve beaten it, only to come have it come back at a later time.

The problem with this is that people begin to think that they can’t be completely delivered; that there’s a reliance on willpower for deliverance.

There’s a young man that attends one of our Free Talk Sessions that is quite taken with my testimony about how I stopped drinking.  He wants to do the same thing, but without Jesus and he’s struggling with it.  I have to declare to you right now, I could not have stopped drinking without Jesus in my life.  I can state that so positively, because I tried many times to quit drinking, unsuccessfully, before I got saved.

Willpower cannot keep you from sin.  There will be weak moments that will cause you to do that thing you don’t want to do.  This is why twelve step programs will say that you are forever an addict.  I have news for them, I am an ex-drunk! I’m delivered.

The real question, today is, “Why do some people go back to the sin from which they’ve been delivered?”  That’s what I want to explore in this post – Through David’s life!

2 Samuel 21:15-17 (NKJV)
^21:15 When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. ¹⁶ Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. ¹⁷ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, "You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel."

Goliath Had A Brother

I believe, as a Christian, that one of the biggest things we struggle with is our old sin.  It’s supposed to be “buried with Christ in baptism.”  (Romans 6:4).  “Put off the Old man and put on the new.”  (Ephesians 4:22-24).  “Walk in the newness of life.”  (Romans 6:4).

The problem is that some of those things are stubborn and difficult.  It’s not easy to defeat some habits and addictions.  The Bible says that “we are slaves to sin;” they own us!  They can be giants that we face and have to fight to defeat.

I want to talk about David and his defeat of the giant, but I want to look at it in a little different way.  We all know the story – A young shepherd faces and defeats a battle hardened giant. 

So, look at this:  David has decided that he will destroy the giant and he’s preparing for the battle:

1 Samuel 17:40 (NKJV)
^17:40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.

Why did David take five stones?  Does he think he’s going to need five stones to defeat Goliath?  Is he afraid God isn’t going to help him?  The answer is that Goliath had a brother and he had three sons.  David knew he might not have to defeat just Goliath.  He knew that there might be others who came for him.  David did defeat Goliath with just one stone.

1 Samuel 17:49-51 (NKJV)
^17:49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. ⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. ⁵¹ Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

David destroyed the giant with one stone, then he cut off his head.  You don’t get much deader than that!  No head equals totally dead! 

So, let’s think about this for a moment.  Why do people get saved?  People don’t come to Jesus when everything is good.  “I’m so blessed, I need Jesus!”  People usually get saved when they’re sick of the way they’re living.  In my own case, I thought I’d ruined my life!  I was exhausted, sick and depressed.  I was addicted to alcohol, a depressant, what else could I expect?  I needed to defeat that giant in my life – alcohol!

For others it may have been something different – maybe financial debt, or sickness, or marital problems.  Whatever it was that led you to Jesus was probably a giant in your life, and you were looking to defeat it.  Some of you may still be in the process of selecting your stone, or running out to face it.  Others have already cut off the giant’s head.  Maybe its been a while.  Maybe you’ve even testified, “I beat my giant (whatever it was)!”  Months later, or years later it’s come back, you’re facing it again and you don’t understand why.  I’ll tell you why – Goliath had a brother!

When David defeated Goliath, he was seventeen years old.  He hadn’t become king yet.  That didn’t happen until he was thirty.  So, our text takes place many years after he killed the giant, but now he finds himself fighting with a giant once again.  The giants have come back!  The original giant has been defeated – He’s not coming back from the dead.  That original deliverance in your life wasn’t temporary.  The giant in your life has been destroyed, it’s not coming back, either, but a similar thing is rising up to destroy you.  This is what’s happening in our text – Do you think this son of Goliath isn’t gunning for the man who killed dear old dad?  Of course, he is!  The devil hasn’t given up on you, either – He wants his revenge!

This Happens to Mature Christians

Look at verse 15 of our text:

2 Samuel 21:15 (NKJV)
^21:15 When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint.

David has been engaged in the battle.  He’s been fighting, and the Bible says, David grew faint!”   He’s weary.  The devil above all other things is an opportunist.  He watches and waits, and when the time is right, he comes back.  He even did that with Jesus!

Luke 4:13 (NKJV)
^4:13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

When he saw that he couldn’t tempt Jesus at that time, he departed “until an opportune time.”  Goliath’s son waited until David was weary to attack him.  He waited until David wasn’t in a good position to fight.  When you’re exhausted from battle you don’t have the energy to fight a fresh opponent.  In a spiritual battle this takes place when you’re spiritually worn down – when you’ve been facing assaults.  When you’ve been pushing back against the enemy, but he’s worn you down.

A number of years ago I had an opportunity to visit a battlefield from the US civil war.  The person I was there with was an expert on civil war battles.  This particular battle was won by government troops, because they just kept sending wave after wave of fresh troops until the opponents were too tired to fight any more and were destroyed.

That’s how the devil fights – temptation after temptation, struggle sfter struggle, with sickness.  Financial failure after financial failure – marriage problem after marriage problem until you’re worn down and exhausted then he sends in the giants, and this giant looks an awful lot like the last giant!  Why?  Because they’re related!

Think about it.  He beat you once with pornography.  That’s his “Go-to Giant” in your life.  Maybe it’s not exactly pornography, but an affair with someone at your job.  Maybe it’snot alcoholism this time, but some other addiction instead.  That’s how good strong Christians end up failing.  That’s how they end up defeated.

“I thought God would protect me! I thought God would keep bad things from happening!  I’m just tired of it all – I don’t want to fight anymore!  Oh, Hello, Ishbi-benob, is that a new sword?” 

Guess what, this wasn’t the last one, either. 

2 Samuel 21:18-20 (NKJV)
^21:18 Now it happened afterward that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant. ¹⁹ Again there was war at Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. ²⁰ Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number; and he also was born to the giant.

Three more times they came after him.  Remember, the five stones?  There’s the other four.  The devil isn’t going to give up!

What Saved David

This is the interesting part – What saved David?  You might say, “A better question is “Who saved David?”  Okay, “who saved David?” – His fellow soldiers.  The reason I asked what saved David is because what really saved David was the fellowship he had with those other men.  There was a camaraderie and concern among them.  Abishai was concerned for David so he fought for him.

That’s why God has structured the church the way He has.  That’s why the church is a body of believers.  Christianity was never intended to be a solo pursuit.  It was always about being of one accord, fighting and contending together against a common enemy – You know who!

How many times in the Bible are we exhorted to be together and encourage each other?

John 15:17 (NKJV)
^15:17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
^10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NKJV)
^4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

This is God’s plan for us to defeat the giants that we face.  The Bible shows us that this is the way to go!  The Bile gives us concrete examples.

Matthew 18:19-20 (NKJV)
^18:19 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Are you struggling with something?  Is there a battle to wear you down?  Ask someone to pray with you – Don’t fight alone.  Find an Abishai to stand in the gap with you!

James 5:16 (NKJV)
^5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Sickness?  Physical or spiritual?  Confess your sin and pray for one another.

“I don’t want anyone to know I’m struggling!”

“People might judge me, if I confess and ask for prayer.”

Abishai saw that David was weary – If you hold back and put on appearances, that it’s all good – there won’t be anyone to help.  Don’t let your ego be your downfall.  David need help with that second giant – we all need help!  That’s why God brought us together.  FOR EACH OTHER!  No soldier wins a war by himself.  Not even David!

Faith: Get Out of the Boat!

Today, I want to post on life.  I want to look at an event in the lives of the disciples, and I want to apply it to our own lives.  Most of us are Christians, but I wonder if you really understand about faith.  All Christians believe in Jesus, but we all have a past and the baggage that goes with that.  Maybe some of you were involved with the traditional Taiwanese religion, and you’re hanging on to some of the old beliefs, and old practices.  Perhaps others are looking at Jesus in the wrong way.  I want to post on some of those things, today.  So, Let’s start with our text:

Mark 6:45-51 (NKJV)
^6:45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. ⁴⁶ And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. ⁴⁷ Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. ⁴⁸ Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. ⁴⁹ And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; ⁵⁰ for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." ⁵¹ Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.

They Thought He Was a Ghost

We have this tendency to blame all the bad things that happen to us on You-know-who – That Stinking Devil!  But do you know, a lot of times the troubles we face are just life.  Life isn’t always Peaches and ice cream.  Life has problems and troubles of its own!

Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
^6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

In our text, we see the apostles – They’re in a boat.  They’re out on the sea and a big storm blows up.  It’s life or death for them, the Bible says they’re straining at rowing.  They’re struggling against the waves and wind and they are frightened!

Imagine what it’s like out there – Waves coming over the sides of the boat – The wind makes it hard to steer the boat – and they’re rowing, they’ve been rowing for hours.  Jesus sent them in the early evening and now it’s the fourth watch – about three in the morning.  They’re exhausted and I’m sure they’re feeling like they’re going to die.

Then Jesus walks out to the boat.  Look at what it says:

Mark 6:49 (NKJV)
^6:49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;

Jesus comes to them and they don’t recognize Him.  This is a time of great trouble, that can’t be Jesus.  Do you ever think that?  We always think that Jesus would only do good for us, that if He’s involved there won’t be trouble.  The problem is that Jesus doesn’t always ask for the easy things. 

In the Old Testament, Jesus was the “Angel of the Lord”.  He was the one that was going to destroy Sodom.  He was the one who commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.  He was the one who wrestled with Jacob.

In times of trouble we don’t always recognize Jesus.  We’re focused on the trouble and our faith disappears.  Look at this:

Matthew 14:28-30 (NKJV)
^14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." ²⁹ So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"

This is the same event as in our text, but Matthew gives us this other detail.  Peter sees that it’s Jesus and decides to walk out to Him.  While he’s focused on Jesus, he walks on the water, but the Bible says that the wind was boisterous.  When he began to listen to the wind, he began to focus on that.  He’s distracted by the problems – the wind and waves – and he begins to sink.  Jesus is right there, right in front of him and yet he focuses on the wind!  He focuses on the storm and the danger!

Do you think it’s interesting that He left them to struggle for so long?  They had traveled about four miles, that’s about halfway across.  He left them in the middle of it all until then.  Then He goes to them and says, “It is I!  Be of good cheer!” “Here I am!  Don’t worry!” “It’s okay, I’m here, I’ll save you!” and then Peter gets out of the boat. “Now that You’re here, I don’t have to be afraid.”  Then the wind frightens him again, and he begins to sink.  What does Jesus do?  He immediately saves him:

Matthew 14:31a (NKJV)
^14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him…

How many of us are like that?  In the middle of the storms of life, Jesus shows up.  At first, we’re relieved, “I can do it!  Jesus is here!” but the problems are still just as intense and we’re distracted by that, and what happens?  We lose faith again.

Here’s a hard truth for you.  Sometimes, the troubles in your life are orchestrated by God!  Remember, Jesus sent them out in the boat, to get to the other side.  We think Jesus is there to answer prayer and give us what we want.  You have to remember that it’s Jesus Christ, not Jesus Claus.  Sometimes, you have to go through some difficult things, in order to be prepared to live God’s Will for your life.  This is true in my own life.  I went through some things before I got saved.  I lived through a few storms – the storm of depression and self-loathing – The storm of alcoholism, loneliness, and pain – The storm of Muscular Dystrophy!

I didn’t see Jesus in any of those things!  I was floundering like a ship in a storm.  I was tired and exhausted.  I was straining at rowing, and I didn’t recognize that Jesus was involved, but He saved me!  He pulled me out of those storms.  If I hadn’t gone through them, I would have never seen my need.  I would have thought I didn’t need Him – that I could handle it on my own!  It was the struggle that kindled my faith!

A Call to Faith and a Call to Action

I asked this earlier, but I want to focus on it a little more.  Why did Jesus wait?  Why didn’t He come sooner?  I already said that sometimes we have to face some things in order to be ready to be used for His purposes, but I think Jesus was giving them and us another lesson, as well.

Look at the situation – This is a violent and dangerous storm.  They see Jesus walking on the water and think He’s a ghost.  I think they saw an omen in that, “There’s a ghost – That means we’re going to die!”  Then Jesus says, “It is I, be of good cheer!”  This is a call to faith, “It’s me, don’t worry!” but it’s also a call to action – “Don’t let your fear deceive you!”  What is it that stops you from stepping out in faith?  What keeps you from jumping wholeheartedly into the Will of God?

These men in this boat are terrified!  They’re seeing ghosts, but Peter rises up in faith, “Call me and I’ll come to you!”  This guy is getting out of the boat to walk on water!  He’s got faith!  He’s taking the action of that faith!

This is where we stop!  We believe – “I believe in Jesus!”  If you do, then get out of the boat.  Get out of that safe, comfortable place.  Get out of the boat!  “Well, I don’t know about that!”

I used to go rock climbing – way up high – Big, big rocks!  I didn’t hesitate, I fastened on my gear and I just jumped off, bounding down the rock!  I completely trusted my gear, I had faith, I put it into action.  How many are willing to walk onto an airplane and fly places?  You have faith in the pilot, faith in aerodynamics.  You’re not afraid to fly.  You say you believe in Jesus.  You say you have faith.  So, why hesitate to give yourself completely to Him?

Peter got out of the boat and walked through the storm, but faith is interesting.  Sometimes, we have great faith, but it can waver.  We can temporarily lose faith.  Peter’s doing something that no one but Jesus has ever done – He’s walking on water – but right in the middle of it, he loses faith.

Has that ever happened to you?  You’ve answered God’s call.  You’re doing what he’s asked you to do, but suddenly you find yourself thinking I can’t do this.  I want to confess to you, that there were times in my ministry when I thought, “I’m not having any impact!”  There were times when I thought the church would have been better off if I’d left. 

“There’s no response!”

“People don’t want to come!”

“I’m not inspiring anyone!”

That was me listening to the wind.  That was me struggling with my faith.  That was fear and doubt – the very opposite of faith.  I started to sink into depression and discouragement, my faith at that point was very small.  When I came to Taiwan, I was brimming with faith.  I was out of the boat; I was walking on the water!  I was focused on Jesus, but then the wind became boisterous. And I drifted.  I cried out and Jesus lifted me up.

Matthew 14:31 (NKJV)
^14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

“Why did you doubt?”  In the presence of Jesus, why is there doubt?  Here’s the second hard truth:  I’m not the only one who struggles with faith.  Some people haven’t really grown in faith.  They’re stuck at “I believe in Jesus,” faith.  They have never stepped into the “get out of the boat” type of faith.

You Have to Try it to Have Faith

As Peter is in the middle of the storm – as they are fighting the wind and the waves, he’s probably not thinking, “I can walk on the water.”  When he sees Jesus, he trusts Him.  He believes that Jesus can command him to walk to Jesus.  He’s not walking on the water; he’s walking on the command to come.  He knows that the power to do the impossible resides in Christ’s words.

I knew I could stay and fight another day, because I knew Jesus had the power to do the impossible through me.  The power that I have is only the power to obey. 

So, think about your own life.  What storms are you fighting through?  What is that thing in your life that seems as impossible as walking on water?  What is that thing that you NEED God to do?  Jesus is there in that storm you’re facing!  He’s comforting you, but He’s also calling you to action.

Do you know how best to develop faith?  Do something.  Peter says – Call to me and I’ll come to you.  In order to walk on water, he had to get out of the boat.  If you want to have faith, try doing what God is calling you to do.  I know – you’re afraid.  It’s easier and safer to stay in the boat, but you can't overcome in fear.  Fear rules your life.  Fear stops your momentum.  

Some people think Jesus can’t do anything in their life.  They’re right!  The impossible will always be out of their reach until that moment when they get out of the boat!  You need a miracle?  Then get out of the boat!  You need to take action, to see God work a miracle.  Peter walked on water – a powerful miracle.  The others didn’t have a miracle, because they didn’t trust enough to get out of the boat. 

Where are you, today?  In the boat or walking on the water?

Pentecost: The Holy Spirit, Today!

Sunday, May 31, 2020 was the day of Pentecost.  This week, I want to post on the day of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit.  I know some people reading this don’t have a Pentecostal background, but I have spent the last twenty years as pastor of two Pentecostal churches.  So today, I want to post on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
^2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Laying a Foundation

I want to begin by laying a foundation on the significance of the day of Pentecost.  What does it all mean?  Our text takes place on the day that the Holy Spirit fell on the people of God.  He didn’t just fall on the apostles, but on all 120 people who were gathered together in that room on that day.  There are some churches that will teach that this was only for the apostles, that after the apostles died that all of the evidence of the Spirit passed away, but on this day, according to our text, it fell on all of them that had gathered. 

Let’s examine the teaching that this has passed away as the apostles died.  First, let’s look at what Peter said in his first Holy Spirit filled sermon:

Acts 2:17-18 (NKJV)
^2:17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. ¹⁸ And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

Peter is quoting a prophecy from Joel 2:28 – 32.  Peter says “in the last days,”  Joel says “afterward”.

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;” 

 The context of this is that God is speaking through Joel, and He’s saying:

Joel 2:27a (NKJV)
^2:27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God And there is no other…

Remember, one of the names of Jesus is Emmanuel – That’s translated as God with us!  It shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit!  The question is – did it pass away with the disciples, or is it available today?

Joel 2:31b (NKJV)
^2:31 …Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

The great and awesome Day of the Lord refers to the day of judgment – The resurrection and judgment of mankind!

Let’s look back at Peter – Peter says “in the last days” – The “last days” refers to that time between Jesus’ resurrection and His return to judge mankind.  Another way to say this is “from now on.”  Look at what Peter says in verse 39:

Acts 2:39 (NKJV)
^2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

Let’s break that down:

For the promise is to you – Those that were there that day.

And to your children – the next generation.

And to all who are afar off – He’s speaking of generations – people that will come in later generations.  

As many as the Lord will Call – Are you called?  We are all called!

John 15:16 (NKJV)
^15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

We are appointed, that means called, to bear fruit.  Fruit in this sense refers to reaching others with the Gospel.  He had called us to that!  This Took Place on Pentecost

Acts 2:1 (NKJV)
^2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

All of this took place on the day of Pentecost.  Let’s look at what Pentecost is:

Pentecost was a day of prayer and celebration.  People had the day off work; they met to pray and thank God.  Acts 2:1 tells us that they were all together in one accord.  They were there to pray and celebrate this feast.  Remember, they continued to be involved in the temple.

The day of Pentecost was a feast day that celebrated the beginning of the harvest season.  Pentecost is the Greek name for a feast called by Jews the Festival of Weeks.  It was a celebration and day of thanksgiving for the harvest, which was about to begin. The feast of First Fruits was the beginning of the barley harvest.  The Festival of Weeks was the beginning of the Wheat harvest.  It takes place seven weeks after the feast of First Fruits. (For background see Pentecost, The Beginning of the Harvest May 16, 2016)

What happened on the day of Pentecost in our text?

Acts 2:41 (NKJV)
^2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

So, from a historical perspective, Pentecost was the beginning of the harvest in the early church.  Lets break this down and digest it.

-          Jesus called us to go and bear fruit – This is before He died! (John 15:16)

-          He told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Spirit

Acts 1:4-5 (NKJV)
^1:4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; ⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

-          On the day that signified to the Jews that the wheat harvest was about to begin, the Holy Spirit fell on those in the upper room, and the harvest of the early church began.

While they’re in the upper room, they hear a sound like a mighty rushing wind.  In Hebrew the word for spirit is the same word that’s used for wind.  In the book of Genesis, God created Adam.  Look at what happens:

Genesis 2:7 (NKJV)
^2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

From H5395; a puff, that is, wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect or (concretely) an animal: - blast, (that) breath (-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit. 

Strong’s Lexicon of Greek and Hebrew 

So God put His breath, or Spirit, into Adam.  This is why we say that man has a soul.  So, this sound like a “mighty rushing wind” signifies the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit enters into the place where they are and fills the house.  

 - The fire appears and sits on each of them.  In the temple there was a fire that was always burning.       That fire signified the presence of God.

Leviticus 6:13 (NKJV)
^6:13 A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.

On this day the fire – The presence of God – sat on each one of them.  It symbolized that they each now contained the presence of God, in other words God dwelt in them.  The fire in the temple signified that God dwelt there.

So, look at this:  The Holy Spirit came upon them and God dwelt in them.  They were immersed (baptized) in the Spirit of God and became a temple of the Holy Spirit.  When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, God dwells in you – in the form of the Holy spirit – and His power is there for you to use.

Think about Peter for a moment – When Jesus was crucified, he was broken.  He was going fishing; going back to the life he led before Jesus.  After the Holy spirit falls – he’s energized. he’s empowered, he’s equipped.  Immediately, he’s able to embark on God’s calling.  He was equipped for his calling through the Holy Spirit.  For Peter it happened on Pentecost – But it didn’t end there.  

This was just the beginning, because the same thing happened to Paul.  He encounters Jesus on the Damascus road in Acts 9:3-6; he’s led to Damascus where Ananias is led by the Holy Spirit to speak to him.  Look at what happened:

Acts 9:17-20 (NKJV)
^9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. ¹⁹ So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. ²⁰ Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Immediately, he preached Christ in the synagogues – From the greatest persecutor of Christians in that time, to a preacher of Christ in the synagogues!

What Does That Mean for Us?

So, the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is to equip us and prepare us for the harvest.   It’s a special tool that’s given to us so, “that we may go and bear fruit…that will remain,” in other words to build the church of Jesus Christ!  That’s the purpose in our text.

So, how do we know we’re filled with the Holy Spirit?

First, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit stood up and preached.  He never did that before.  In John 20, they were in the upper room with the doors locked for fear of the Jews.  There’s a new boldness in Peter’s life!

Second, the people began to speak in other tongues.  This is the evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  This happened in every other instance where this is mentioned.

Acts 10:44-46 (NKJV)
^10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God...

Acts 19:6 (NKJV)
^19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Third, there is power!  Look back at what Jesus said to the disciples:

John 14:12 (NKJV)
^14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

What does He say will happen when He goes to His Father?

John 16:7 (NKJV)
^16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

The “Helper” is the Holy Spirit!  Think of this:  When He goes to His Father, He will send the Holy Spirit – AND we will do greater works than these!  The apostles did many great works!

Acts 3:  Peter and John brought healing to a man lame from birth!  Look at what happened:

Acts 3:11 (NKJV)
^3:11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.

Acts 5:  Peter’s Shadow!

Acts 5:12-16 (NKJV)
^5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. ¹³ Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. ¹⁴ And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, ¹⁵ so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

It wasn’t just the apostles, though!  When a dispute arose between the Greek believers and the Jews, in Acts 6, the appointed seven men “full of the Holy Spirit,” to resolve it!  One of those men was Stephen:

Acts 6:8 (NKJV)
^6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

There was Philip in Acts 8:

Acts 8:5-8 (NKJV)
^8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. ⁶ And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. ⁷ For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. ⁸ And there was great joy in that city.

We CAN receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We are that generation that is afar off.  It’s a promise – It’s given to equip us for God’s calling!  We need that!  We need signs and wonders!  We need to call on Holy Spirit power!  We need the boldness to stand and preach the Gospel; to witness to friends, family, coworkers, and classmates!  We need this to build the church of Jesus Christ!

Encouragement: The Essential Church

It looks like the world is finally beginning to move forward from the Covid-19 pandemic.  Churches are beginning to reopen.  Taoyuan City has released churches to reopen.  Taoyuan City was the only city in Taiwan that shut churches down.  In the US, The Door Church in Tucson has reopened, and my home church, the Door Church in Colton is reopening this week. 

I got very sick at the end of last year, I was in the hospital when the first Covid-19 patient in Taiwan came into that same hospital.  I had been out of church for a month at that point.  Then I spent sometime recuperating and missed church for another few months.  Then they stopped services in Taoyuan, and the church began to broadcast on Instagram.  The broadcast has been a blessing, hearing Pastor Reed (Pingzhen, Taiwan) preach the Gospel has been helpful. I haven’t been able to attend church with my church family since December.  I miss them all.

I’m telling you that because, in missing church I have experienced a bit of spiritual warfare.  Doctor’s keep giving me bad news.  I feel like I’m trapped in quarantine, even though people are not experiencing that here in Taiwan, I feel like I’ve been personally quarantined.  Every week seems like a battle. 

It really points out to me what a blessing it is to be in church with my friends and family.  I’ll tell you why.  During this time, I felt like I was stuck in the world.  I had a difficult time praying; it was hard to focus on worship over the internet.  Hebrews 10:25 admonishes us not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together”.  We sometimes read that as a command, but what is the reason not to forsake assembling?  Look:

Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV)
^10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The reason to attend church is to be able to exhort or encourage each other.  Another way to say that is to say we need to gather to help each other.  It’s a huge encouragement for me to see other people engaged in worshiping God.  It is a great exhortation to see people remain faithful to be in the House of God, week after week after week.  Church is an essential activity!

We are constantly bombarded by the things of the world.  There are the spiritual assaults as well.  We face them alone, when we are unable to gather.  I don’t know about you but I’m not Jackie Chan, I can’t beat up fifteen or sixteen attackers by myself.  I need the strength of my comrades.

It’s bad enough to go through a week of missing church…But this quarantine and prohibition against attending church has been difficult for just about everyone I’ve with whom I’ve talked about this. 

Today, I want to post on being in the House of God!

Psalms 122:1-4 (NKJV)
^122:1 A song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." ² Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! ³ Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, ⁴ Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord.

Why We Need Church

This psalm needs a little background.  Psalms 120, 121, and 122 are written by the same person.  In Psalm 120 the writer is under attack.  Someone is lying about him.  He’s being slandered!  There’s an attempt to destroy him through character assassination:

Psalms 120:1-2 (NKJV)
^120:1 A song of Ascents. In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me. ² Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.

He has an enemy that wants to destroy him.  He’s a picture of you and I – We have an enemy that wants to destroy us.  He’s also a liar.  In fact, Jesus calls him “the father of lies”.  This is his method of destruction, lies and deceit.

The writer of this psalm is looking for comfort and justice.

Psalms 120:3-5 (NKJV)
^120:3 What shall be given to you, Or what shall be done to you, You false tongue? ⁴ Sharp arrows of the warrior, With coals of the broom tree! ⁵ Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

He’s asking of this attacker, “What is God going to do to you?  What judgment awaits you for this injustice?  Sharp arrows?  Burning coals?”

That word woe, means “a condition of great suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionaries).  He’s suffering because he is living in the world, not the city of Jerusalem.  He’s not living near the temple – The House of God!  He needs comfort but he’s far away from the House of God.  That’s me during my recuperation and the shutdown.  Sometimes, I feel far from God, because of all the assaults that have been working against me. 

Do you ever feel like Sunday or Wednesday services don’t come fast enough?  Do you ever feel like you can’t wait to be in church?  I do!  Woe, is me that I dwell in a state of lockdown. 

Psalm 121 is a recognition of whom God is in our lives. 

Psalms 121:2-7 (NKJV)
^121:2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. ³ He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. ⁵ The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. ⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. ⁷ The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

He’s telling us about God’s care for us.  He’s telling us what we can expect from the God who created us and loves us.  He also clearly recognizes his need to be near God at this time.  Psalm 120 is a description of what he’s going through.  Psalm 121 is a recognition that the solution to his suffering is God.  Psalm 122 is the writer bringing his sorrows and troubles before God in the temple.

So, now let’s look at Psalm 122 – The writer of the psalm has arrived in Jerusalem.  It’s a feast day – A celebration.  He’s been waiting to enter into the church.  He’s been waiting to be comforted.  He’s looking for encouragement and as the shofar is blown, and the temple is opened, he says this:

“I was glad when the said unto me, “Let us go into the House of the Lord.”

Finally, he hears the call to enter into the presence of God.  Finally, he can go into that place of comfort.  Finally, he can find the peace that comes from being in God’s presence.  This is the place where the peace of God dwells.

The lockdown makes it difficult to find God’s presence, but the real problem is that even Sundays can seem so far apart.  If you’re only going to church once a week, you’re like that man that’s dwelling away from the presence of God.  There are assaults on your life and salvation.  The devil isn’t going to leave you alone.  He’s always working to wear you down.  He’s always trying to separate you from Jesus.  He wants you feeling the heat of his attacks.

He uses people – He uses the world to work on you.  You’re bombarded by temptation.  You’re overloaded by the world.  You’re constantly attacked for your faith.  Sometimes, it’s subtle – Maybe no one is attacking you personally.  No one is telling you that you’re wrong or bad, but society is working against you.

Look at Taiwanese society.  How many Christian holidays do you think we have in Taiwan? Not a single one – There are no Christian holidays in Taiwan.  Is Christmas promoted as a celebration of Jesus’ birthday in Taiwan?  No, it’s Santa Claus’ day.

Then there is this:  In October, for three consecutive weeks, the Taoist temple nearest our church, had parades that passed by our church, with fireworks, loud music and firecrackers, during our evening service.  This wasn’t a coincidence; this was an assault from hell.  Our battle isn’t against people, though.

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
^6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This scripture tells us that those battles are taking place in the heavenly realm.  Those spiritual hosts of wickedness are not opposed to using the world and its appetites and customs to try to separate you from Jesus.  It’s all designed to wear you down; to make you fatalistic about the things of God. It’s designed to make you feel like you don’t need to be at church: “You’re just going to hear a sermon; nothing is going to come of it!” 

I want you to know something, there is comfort in the presence and promises of God.  If you take responsibility to take the Word of God to heart, you will find comfort.  You will be encouraged.  You will be glad to enter the House of the Lord.

The Power of Attendance

It’s because of the assaults on us that it’s important for us to be at church regularly.  It’s not a rule that you be at every service; God isn’t going to send you to Hell for missing church, but it makes it a lot more difficult to resist the devil.  It makes it a lot more difficult to avoid temptation.  It’s just plain harder to avoid sin and sin WILL take you to Hell.  This is a spiritual battle that we’re engaged in.  The devil is using weapons against you every day, and if you’re going to be engaged in a battle it’s best to take all the weapons you can.  This is a battle for an eternal victory – You can’t afford to lose!  You must win!

Interestingly, the temple was a place where weapons were stored.

2 Kings 11:10 (NKJV)
^11:10 And the priest gave the captains of hundreds the spears and shields which had belonged to King David, that were in the temple of the Lord.

This is the place where you can find weapons with which to fight the enemy.  The writer of Psalm 120 was looking for comfort and peace.  He needed to be encouraged!  He was glad to enter the temple!  We don’t have a temple – We have a sanctuary.  A place of safety – That’s what sanctuary means – and we are exhorted to come into that place.

Hebrews 10:22-25 (NKJV)
^10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

We can approach God with the full assurance of our faith, that He will provide comfort and peace.

²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Here is another aspect of our coming together in the sanctuary.  It’s an encouragement and blessing for others to see you in church.  You living for Jesus can inspire others to live for Jesus! (To stir up love and good works.) Coming to church not only equips you for battles, but it encourages others in the battles that they may be facing.

We’re all in this together.  We need each other – We can’t fight alone and win.  If we’re fighting on the same team, we need to be like-minded!

Romans 15:5-6 (NKJV)
^15:5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The first verse tells us that God is the God of patience and comfort – and that He can cause us to be like Him – patient and comforting toward each other.  This is why we’re encouraged to pray for each other – to come to the altar and pray together.  It brings us closer to each other, so that we can glorify God in one voice.  We can be of one accord. 

Camaraderie isn’t an important tool in the military.  Fighting as comrades in arms for the same goals to defeat a common enemy.  This can be applied to our spiritual battles as well.

When We Are of One Accord

God moves in us when we are of one accord.  Look at what happens when we’re together:

Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
^2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit (the Comforter) came upon them as they prayed together of one mind.

Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV)
^2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

As the people were gathering together and in fellowship the church grew!  People got saved!

Acts 5:12 (NKJV)
^5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch.

God worked miracles through the “hands of the apostles” as they were of one accord.  God can move through us as we pray and gather together.

In John chapter 20, when did Jesus show up?  This is after the crucifixion.  Jesus came to them as they were gathered together.  In Acts chapter 12. When was Peter miraculously released from prison? When they were all together praying for him.

This is why being able to attend church is an essential activity.  This is why it’s a joy and a blessing to come to church, because God can move in us and through us.  We can be used to spark a move of God!  We can be used to bring comfort to each other!  We can be encouraged, and find comfort and resolve when we’re together in the House of God!  That’s Why I was glad when they said unto me –

Come into the House of the Lord!