1/21 From Chaos to Victory, Gal 6.7-8
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The Power of one TEXT—Jan 13, 2018 at 12:20 PM—one text was sent out and peoples lives were instantly impacted. “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill”. For the next 38 minutes, people didn’t really know what was going on. It was 38 minutes until another message was sent confirming the false alarm.
The Power of one TEXT—Jan 13, 2018 at 12:20 PM—one text was sent out and peoples lives were instantly impacted. “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill”. For the next 38 minutes, people didn’t really know what was going on. It was 38 minutes until another message was sent confirming the false alarm.
People were calling their loved ones and telling them good-bye; People were totally terrified! People running! Parents were separated from their children, trying to locate them and be with them. Others went into their bathrooms sat down and “prayed”. While others went into the safest places in their homes, simply to wait. Some started duct taping their windows and filling their bathtubs with water.
There was “PANICE AND FEAR”—38 Minutes of CHAOS!
CHAOS- a state of utter confusion, unpredictability in behavior.
CHAOS- a state of utter confusion, unpredictability in behavior.
We are living in somewhat of a “Chaotic” time—changes taking place daily—some so fast that we can’t keep up. And, to some degree, we as Christians are struggling with all of the Chaos.
I think that we have gotten sidetracked, forgotten or maybe really don’t understand some basic principles and commands that God has given to us.
God’s method throughout the centuries has been to send a revival among his people, to pour out his spirit again upon his church.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
“Mock”- scorn, raise one’s nose when it is bleeding, to blow out mucus.
Jesus is our “breath”- we cannot scorn Him who is our life.
“sow”- disperse
When we sow to our flesh, when we sow to the “satisfaction’ of ourselves, we will reap corruption. This passage was written about bearing one another’s burdens, doing good to all men. Yes, we are called to do good to even the unthankful and the unholy.
“corruption”- deterioration, rot, ship wreck, destruction
When we sow to our flesh, when we sow to the “satisfaction’ of ourselves, we will reap corruption. This passage was written about bearing one another’s burdens, doing good to all men. Yes, we are called to do good to even the unthankful and the unholy.
Yet, when we allow the Chaos to cause us NOT to do so, we will still reap corruption.
27 Like a cage filled with birds, their homes are filled with evil plots. And now they are great and rich. 28 They are fat and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor. 29 Should I not punish them for this?” says the Lord. “Should I not avenge myself against such a nation? 30 A horrible and shocking thing has happened in this land— 31 the prophets give false prophecies, and the priests rule with an iron hand. Worse yet, my people like it that way! But what will you do when the end comes?
Sinners were no longer being challenged by the leaders, sin was not being addressed, they cared not for the fatherless, and certainly didn’t have a heart for other humans. They had grown cold and full of themselves.
Sinners were no longer being challenged by the leaders, sin was not being addressed, they cared not for the fatherless, and certainly didn’t have a heart for other humans. They had grown cold and full of themselves.
Vs31—“What will you do when the end comes?”
Jeremiah was confronting those who were focused on themselves. What will happen if you have not really been in the Scriptures? What will happen if you have not been walking with God?
The NONES—26%- atheist, agnostic, nothing
The NONES—26%- atheist, agnostic, nothing
In the South- 23% Evangelical by belief—31% self-identify as evangelicals.
West-10% Evangelical, Midwest 15%, Northeast 5%
The Apostle Peter even spoke about the last days—and the same voices are present—voices that do not know God.
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
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18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2 Peter 1
Peter tells us that there will be those who deny the Lordship of Christ, deny the authority of Christ—denying that we are bought with His own blood.
Peter tells us that there will be those who deny the Lordship of Christ, deny the authority of Christ—denying that we are bought with His own blood.
They will deny that we are not our own anymore, therefore we are not required to glorify God with our bodies and our spirit.
Peter is telling us that such people will succeed in drawing people back into what they had once left. Many will be ensnared thinking that this life is all there is. Can you imagine—adopting a “false concept” of Christianity? The problem doesn’t stop here!
The Chaos will continue
The Chaos will continue
—when we have a false concept of Christianity, the false concept will go where we go. There are and will continue to be, those who don’t preach truth! They are out on the highways, in the neighborhoods, knocking on your doors time and time again—-yet, they are not promoting the Gospel of TRUTH!
This is the Chaos of our times!
This is the Chaos of our times!
God has put Order to the Chaos
1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: Praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: Praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: Praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, And ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: For he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, Ye dragons, and all deeps: 8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; Stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9 Mountains, and all hills; Fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10 Beasts, and all cattle; Creeping things, and flying fowl: 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; Princes, and all judges of the earth: 12 Both young men, and maidens; Old men, and children: 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: For his name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, The praise of all his saints; Even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.
This Psalm is a depiction of how God brought Order to Chaos in the very beginning. He rules over all elements. If God rules over chaos, and has ruled over it since the beginning, He can bring order to the CHAOS in our world today and in our own lives.
What are we to do? Can we continue like we are going? Are we making “headway”?
Steps to Making A Difference
Steps to Making A Difference
—we need to answer a few questions
1- What Does God Think about Me?
1- What Does God Think about Me?
Would you like for God to search you? Do you really want to know what He thinks about you?
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts:
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Would He turn the searchlight of His Holy Spirit on us until we can see ourselves as He sees us. We need to stop worrying about what the world thinks about us; the opinion of our best friends.
Would He turn the searchlight of His Holy Spirit on us until we can see ourselves as He sees us. We need to stop worrying about what the world thinks about us; the opinion of our best friends. READ
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
—What does God think about your work? am I honest? Sincere? Loyal to Him? Is my work counting for God? Does my life “LIVE” for Jesus?
—What does God think about your work? am I honest? Sincere? Loyal to Him? Is my work counting for God? Does my life “LIVE” for Jesus?
—What does God think about my relationships?
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Does God smile on my relationships? Are there relationships that are driving Him from my heart? Does my conscience rest, or does it trouble me? Do I strive to please God or am I arguing with God?
Does God smile on my relationships? Are there relationships that are driving Him from my heart? Does my conscience rest, or does it trouble me? Do I strive to please God or am I arguing with God?
—What does God think about my devotional life? Do I spend enough time with Him? Am I getting alone with God? Do I love to meet with Him in the inner chamber?
Am I a student of His Word? Do I claim His promises and make them mine? Do I merely “say prayers” or do I pray? Is prayer vital to me?
—What does God think about my Christian progress? Am I making spiritual progress, growing as a Christian? Can my friends see any difference in me?
Am I making progress against sin?
2-What Do I Think about Evangelism?
2-What Do I Think about Evangelism?
We must view ourselves, the church, as a spiritual center for aggressive evangelism, and when we do, we will be true to God’s plan in the Great Commission.
One of our chief goals is to get the message out to the “Christless”
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
We must
We must share the “message of Hope with a hopeless world”—We must keep at it, so that men may have a chance to hear the Gospel and be saved.
“Share the message of Hope with a hopeless world”
“Share the message of Hope with a hopeless world”
—We must keep at it, so that men may have a chance to hear the Gospel and be saved.
As a church, we will either “evangelize” or “fossilize”! Evangelism will fill the church, and when the church is filled, we will be better able to fulfill our mission and train Disciples to Make Disciples.
Important points about evangelism:
-Little can be accomplished without a manifestation of the Spirit of God
-The Power of prevailing prayer can change unfavorable conditions
-Success will come when we are obedient to the will of God
-We will face opposition
-Evangelism is the key to blessings on the church
3-What Must the Church Do?
3-What Must the Church Do?
We must position ourselves to hear the voice of God. Chaos will ring loud in our ears and try to destroy us.
God wants something deeper for us. He wants us to live a surrendered life, walking where He walks, doing what He has called us to do, and seeing people through His eyes.
Once we decide to get up and move toward the work of God, our lives will then begin to make sense in the midst of the Chaos. Beware—the half-hearted Christians will try to discourage you and tell you that there is no need.
Don’t be discouraged—keep moving towards God!
Don’t be discouraged—keep moving towards God!
You may need to start moving toward God at the dinner table—with your own family. Walking humbly with your family, asking for forgiveness with your family.
You may need to start moving toward God with your finances.
You may need to start moving toward God in your private life.
If you are to have peace in the midst of the Chaos, start moving toward God.
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Maybe you are struggling today—your life is CHAOTIC!
You have received a “mental text” that has turned your world upside down—a missile is headed your way and there is no hope for you today.
1-Start today with God’s Love
2-Start paying attention to those around you
3-Start serving generously
We serve a God who is “LORD over the CHAOS”!
Maybe you are struggling today—your life is CHAOTIC! We serve a God who is “LORD over the CHAOS”!
God isn’t trying to be Lord today—He is LORD! When God speaks, Chaos is subdued!