Sermon Nuggets Week of May 31
Sermon Nuggets Mon May 31
Theme Unseen Forces
Verses 2 Kings 6:8-23
Unseen Forces
The passage this week introduces us to the spiritual world that is often unseen. The Bible teaches us there are forces that influence and intersect in our lives. We are given some revelations into the world of demons and angels. But so much remains a mystery. It would be presumptuous for us to think we understand it all.
One of the more intriguing Christian novels in resent years is a book by Frank Peretti entitled, This Present Darkness. It was different than I anticipated. It is fiction. But the book address the Scriptural presentation of the heavenly warfare that goes on and shows how it invades our world in ways and manners that we may not know. We are graphically reminded of the Spiritual warfare that is going on between God and Satan, between angels and demons, between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. Of course, the power is the Lord's.
What is our part in this warfare? As Christians, God wants us to be aware of some things. We are presented with His Sovereignty. We are to believe in His power over all things. We trust His wisdom. We must understand His timing and purposes far exceed our limited insights. We prepare ourselves with faith, truth, and obedience. We are to be saved people who learn to love and trust God and follow Him in spite of our feelings, believing He will accomplish His purposes His ways. But especially prayer is an important part of our fellowship with the Lord and the prayer power is effective for the righteous.
The Bible does give us glimpses and for important reasons.
How God uses his heavenly messengers is a mystery. The fact that He does is to result in fully trusting Him in all situations. In spite of the attack by the evil one we are to take delight in the truth, “Greater is He than is in us that he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues June 1
Verses II Ki 6:8-23 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place."
9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there."
10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"
12 "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."
13 "Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan."
14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
God Works amidst our Folly
I saw the excerpts from some TV advertising presentation. A real estate man was challenging his audience to set their goals high if it means working two extra evenings a week and an extra day a week-end, then you must stick to those goals. He went on to share, when kids programs, hockey games, fun recreational time must take secondary place to the goals of the business if you want to be a millionaire. He was telling the audience truth if you want to be a successful money maker. But that is not how to be a successful father, or husband, or even a Christian. God always wins and always will.
Notice the proud man in his folly who says, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place." He has the same misconception that believes the greatest military power and muscle will win. Whether it is the forces of Israel, the armies of United States, the power of China or the zeal of the middle East true power is not in how confident you are in carrying out your desires, but whether you seek to serve the Lord.
Now there is something to be said about those who have commitment and determination. Joshua was a courageous fighter who believed the Lord and through military strength God blessed him. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us, "there is a time for war and a time for peace, a time for every purpose under heaven."
The King of Aram plotted against Israel and found that the King of
Israel was always prepared. He was convinced there must be a mole, a stool-pigeon, a spy revealing the secrets to Israel. But it was the Lord who revealed to Elisha, God's servant and prophet what the plans would be of the enemy. He told the King so they were adequately prepared.
Vs. 12,13 reveals his folly. He thinks that if he can eliminate the prophet of God, therefore he can win his little wars. He fails to understand that he is facing God, not Elisha. Even if he could get Elisha out of the way, God is seeking to display his glory and power. He cannot fight God.
How quickly one forgets. It was one of the generals of Aram who was healed of leprosy. What makes the King think he can fight God? It is folly to think that you can continue to cover up your activities. Friends, the all knowing God not only knows of your activities but also your very thoughts. You cannot fight God.
I am amazed with people who call themselves Christians thinking they are getting away with their sin, continuing to lie and cover up things that God will judge. It didn't work for King David trying to continue in his sin with Bathsheba, and it won't work with us. Sooner or later God will reveal all things before us, even those things done in secret and done again his name. God works amidst our folly.
One man said he wanted to provide the best things for his family.
He went to school extra evenings. He was at work early, stayed late. He was able to get the nice house, automobile, cabin, boat, clothes. But he came to his marriage counselor a broken man asking what he did wrong. He was a failure. His wife was going to divorce him. In fact, he was not a failure he was a success. He accomplished his goals. He did provide for his family according to what he thought best.
Only he had the wrong goals. However, the most important thing in life is not to provide the best material things for ones family. It is more important to give of himself.
God made King of Aram the laughing stock of Israel and will eventually do that to all with the rebellious and selfish spirit.
Augustine said, "Let us not seek to bend the straight 5to the crooked, that is thy will to ours, but let us seek to bend the crooked to the straight, that is, our will to thine."
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds June 2, 2010
Verses- 2 Kings 6: 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
God works amidst our Fear.
When the King of Aram discovered where Elisha was staying, he surrounded the city. Elisha’s servant awoke that morning and saw the hills covered with enemy troops. He did what most people would do, what I'm sure I would do as well. He cried out, "Elisha, Oh Elisha, look, there is the enemy all around us." He was petrified, scared, and fearful!
Fear can be a normal reaction to that which is perceived as a physical, or emotional danger; or an emotional reaction to the unknown. Lots of times fear is experienced when there is lack of knowledge, or lack of trust. In this case, there is real human danger. It seems as if their lives are at stake and they are seemingly defenseless. He could not see what God was doing.
Fear can let our imaginations run away from us and gripe us to inactivity, or activity that is inappropriate. Extreme shyness is a form of fear. One doesn't put himself out because he's afraid of getting hurt, or appearing foolish. He is afraid of not being liked, or appearing incompetent before others.
Remember the lesson that Jesus was teaching his disciples on the sea in the middle of the storm. They left in the calm waters and Jesus fell asleep. It is easy to trust in the day than in the dark when you can't see and aren't sure of what is ahead. But at night when winds and waves became life threatening they panicked and awakened Jesus, who rebuked them for their lack of faith.
Jesus told them they were going on the other side of the lake. He didn't tell them they were going to the middle of the lake and then drown. They needed to trust that with Jesus in the boat they need not fear. But at a later time they were in the boat in a storm and Jesus was not with them physically, but he still saw them and knew of their situation. That’s the thing I like about Jesus. He keeps on eye on you and me and we are never outside of his knowledge and care for us.
Isn't it common that people with weak faith see problems and want to escape? God has not forgotten you. He works amidst our fears.
Perhaps we would fear less if we re-evaluated our main goals, and let Jesus take care of the successes. Can we remain in God's will even if it appeared to be failure in the eyes of others?
We need strength in our weakness. We need the supernatural eyes of faith. We need to learn what trust is. We need to focus our attention on the One who has the power to do whatever He wants and will.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 3
Verses- 2 Kings 6: 16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
19 Elisha told them, "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see." Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
God works amidst our Faith
Elisha certainly was aware of what most are not. He saw God's heavenly protection and prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant so he would not fear. What he saw was a host of angels. What is invisible to man is how God works and the ways He chooses to work. Unseen angels are one of the facts of spiritual power and protection. No harm will befall Elisha. There are Biblical examples of angels and heavenly forces that keep and care and protect and strengthen God's anointed.
The added glory for the Christian is that now we have the Holy Spirit living within us. He never leaves!
Wallace said, "Faith sees what is invisible, It sees behind the visible alien forces all the heavenly resources and reinforcement of love and power that are there available for all who ally themselves with the causes of God. It sees in the darkest day the light of God's glory. It sees behind the very lilies and sparrows the Heavenly Fathers; promise of never-failing providence. To such a faith fear is to be thought of as folly to be pitied rather than as deliberate wickedness. How foolish not to believe that the love that has provided the infinitely costly gift will at the same time grudge to provide the paper and the wrappings that in comparison seem of no consequence."
In Billy Graham's book on Angels he tells of an experience his wife related concerning the Christian witness in China. 1942 after the Japanese had won the war with China. One morning around 9 am a Japanese truck stopped outside the bookroom of a Bible bookstore. The Christian shop assistant was all alone and realize with dismay the marines came to seize the stock. As soon as they started to enter a neatly dressed Chinese gentleman entered the shop just ahead of them. The shop keeper knew most of the customers and the people who traded there. This was a complete stranger. For some unknown reason the soldiers seemed unable to follow him. They loitered about looking in the larger windows. For 2 hours they stood around, until after 11 and never set foot inside the door. The stranger prayed and encouraged the clerk and at last the soldiers climbed into their army truck and drove away. The stranger also left without making a single purchase or even inquiring about any items in the shop. Ruth Graham’s father, Nelson Bell, noted this was certainly a God sent messenger for that time.
The Gospel Herald recorded the story of a minister who was threatened with his life. The missionary tells of being sent to someone on whom a tree had fallen. To reach the place he had to pass thought some rough area. All at once he was overwhelmed with fear and foreboding. He could not shake it off until he stopped and prayed. He went on. The next day the head bandit was shot and the missionary was summoned to his deathbed. The man confessed that on the previous night he had lain in wait in the cut-over land intending to kill him. But who were those men who rode with you? When he told him that he was alone, he was more agitated. You were not. Two men were with you. One on either side of you and in all my life I never saw such a horse as they rode. Who were they?
In the excitement the man had a hemorrhage and died. Oh that we might trust God and his forces to do what we cannot do and to obey in doing when we know he would have us do.
Was it not Job who was the object of debate with Satan and God. Satan was upset because God put a hedge of protection around him. God gave permission for Satan to tempt his faith only up to a point. Job showed his faith and trust in God in spite of the questions, doubts, and pain. Did God stop protecting Job? No, not at all. He still had Job in the palm of his hand; only he was using the experience of testing. The Psalmist tells us, "The angel of the Lord encampeth around about those who fear him and delivereth them."
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Fri June 4 – Friendliness
Verses 2 Kings 6: 21-23 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?"
22 "Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master."
23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.
God Works amidst Friendliness
Elisha calls for blindness on the troops and then adds insult to injury. One man leads them into the capital city of Samaria where the total forces of Israel are lodged. The man brings them all in to the king and their eyes are opened. They see they are captured. "Shall I kill them?", The king asks. God's angels are stronger than metal swords and spears, as well as tanks, nuclear weapons, radar computers.
It was not God’s will to kill them, only to show them His compassion. They ate and were allowed to return to their master. They had no more problems after that. Such kindness was as throwing burning coals on their heads. Mercy was show to the enemy. God did His work His way with His timing. Friendliness paid off.
Chuck Colson in a Christianity Today article talked of the persecution of the church. Not so much the physical dangers that our third world brothers and sister face, but the prejudice Christians here might face in our culture. The values of the Bible are considered offensive by various aberrant groups publicized in the media. We marginalized are attacked by homosexuals, abortionists, feminists, secularists, evolutionists, and many schools of higher learning. TV and movie scripts portray Christians as hypocrites, oafs, and imbeciles. All the while the public cries there is no place for religion in the secular world. IT should be restricted only to the places of worship and kept among those who already follow their faith. school prayer is banned, kids in public school sex-education classes are taught bout alternative lifestyles, the use of condoms, safe sex. It is open season for Christian bashing.
Being kind to those who treat us unkindly is the instruction Jesus gives to us in his Sermon on the Mount. To bless those who despitefully use us. It is not the same as showing defense or even standing up for our rights. It is not the same as to be kept quiet from the truth. It is to show kindness.
When soldiers were captured in World War two there were countless testimonies of how our soldiers were treated by the enemy and how we treated those prisoners of war. Compassion wins over.
Colson reminds us that Christians have encountered hostility from a secular culture, throughout the ages. There has not always been the host of angels who blinds the enemy. But there has been God's messengers, even heavenly forces, carrying out the advancement and establishment of God's kingdom, not man's way, but God's way.
Suffering and injustice were to be expected. We take as our example one who, when he was reviled, reviled not in return, but stayed the course in obedience to the Father. We are called to be a holy nation, loving one another and the world around us. We are called to do good deeds even as we are slandered as evildoers.
Aram and his forces are long gone, so is Nero and Herod and their empires. But the light of the gospel continues to shine brightly today. It is a light as our brothers and sisters from the persecuted churches of the East have proved, cannot be extinguished. How else can we explain that happened when only the Church was the significant opposition to atheistic communistic rule in spite of persecution? Who won? "Not by might, but by my spirit says the Lord."
God's forces are winning, they are heavenly forces. They make themselves occasionally evident, or most commonly continue with the shroud of mystery and invisibility. But the victory is the Lord. He works amidst our folly, our fears, our faith and our friendliness.
Don't fight God. Don't fear, but have faith. He is in charge.
Pastor Dale
