Clash of the Gods
Strong: Courage over Fear • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsThere is a message that has been lost in Christianity today. It is the message of the kingdom of God. This message of the kingdom is the very power of the gospel that many are missing today. Jesus did not come preaching forgiveness of sin but entrance into His Kingdom. Once we understand our kingdom position we can live out our kingdom passion.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: (Defining the Pain)
We have reached the end of our study through the book of Joshua. Our intention on this journey was to observe the relationship between God and Joshua during times of battle, great distress, and personal struggle. From this we were to learn how to be Strong, to have Courage over Fear, and to walk by faith and not by sight.
Eph 6:
Everyday we find ourselves fighting the battles of life.
We fight the strongholds of evil that want to destroy us and those we love.
We fight emotional battles of insecurities that try to rob us of our joy and fulfilment.
We fight relational battles of marriage, family, friends, coworkers, and even church members attempting to love and be loved in an unlovely world.
We fight spiritual battles first within ourselves, secondly through world systems, and thirdly forces of spiritual wickedness is high places.
So many of us want to dismiss the battles. We’re like the kid scared of the monster in the closet who throws his head under the covers, because if he can’t see the monster maybe the monster can’t see him. If that doesn’t work he wishes it away. If I say it doesn’t exist than it doesn’t exist. There is no Monster! There is no Monster!
But its time to face your fears. It’s time to get up and open the closet door and slay the monsters that so easily beset us. It’s time to be Strong: To have Courage over Fear.
There is a spiritual battle that is raging for the souls of men. Spiritual kingdoms biding for your allegiance. You can’t hide from it. You can’t wish it away. You will either stand and fight in the power and might of the Lord. or you will be overtaken by the wickedness all around you.
Until you become aware of the war that is raging between the kingdoms you will not understand the necessity of choosing to serve the Lord.
As Joshua comes to the end of his life, he gives his final words of wisdom to the congregation of Isreal.
He confronts them with this ongoing war, but it’s not about lands, or conquering nations. It is about the kingdom to which pledge your allegiance.
2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods.
He then recounts the might hand of God to remove them from serving these other gods to make a people for Himself.
The war of the Kingdom is still raging today.
Abraham to Canaan.
Joseph to Egypt.
Let me show you a New Testament passage where this war is clearly seen.
Moses as the deliver from the gods of Egypt. If you study the plagues you will see that they are in direct defiance to the gods of the land.
The parting of the Red Sea.
The wilderness wonderings.
The crossing of Jericho.
The battles for the Promised land.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
Eph 6:
Defining the “gods”
Defining the “gods”
So what are these other gods, these rulers in heavenly places.
We have to be careful not to read the Bible from our 21st century American mindset. The bible was God-breathed through men. Therefore, it is imperative that we understand the meaning as they wrote it not as we think it to be.
Every language has a history of words, meaning there was an origin of that word that came to mean something to the people that used it.
The Lord (Yahweh) God (elohim)
The Lord (Yahweh) God (elohim)
The Hebrew word elohim translated as “gods” is a term used for divine beings created by The Lord God (Yahweh) that serves as God’s counsel or are in rebellion to him.
The Hebrew word elohim translated as “gods” is a term used for divine beings created by The Lord God (Yahweh).
The Hebrew scholar, Michael S Heiser, wrote a book called “The Unseen Realm” in which he describes the way the biblical writer understood this word.
“The usage of the term elohim by biblical writers tells us very clearly that the term is not about a set of attributes. Even though when we see “G-o-d” we think of a unique set of attributes, when a biblical writer wrote elohim, he wasn’t thinking that way. If he were, he’d never have used the term elohim to describe anything but Yahweh.” Excerpt From: Michael S. Heiser. “The Unseen Realm.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-unseen-realm/id1316014357
The Lord God is different than the gods he created.
The Lord God is different than the gods he created.
11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Excerpt From: Michael S. Heiser. “The Unseen Realm.” Apple Books. https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-unseen-realm/id1316014357
24 ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?
D
23 and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart;
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Other gods
Other gods
These others gods created by Yahweh either serve as his divine counsel or are in rebellion to him.
1 God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
Ps
The whole idea of Satan rebelling against Yahweh and beguiling Eve in the garden is an illustration of these other gods usurping the authority of their Creator God and establishing the own rule over men.
If we could peal back the curtain of the Spiritual realm we would find a war raging for power, influence, and control over creation.
The War of the Kingdoms
The War of the Kingdoms
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The War of the Kingdoms
The War of the Kingdoms
“Serving other gods is being influenced and controlled by world systems and spiritual kingdoms that turn your hearts from the Lord God that created you.”
“Serving other gods is being influenced and controlled by world systems and spiritual kingdoms that turn your hearts from the Lord God that created you.”
There are unseen powers
There are unseen powers
Although we can’t see this spirit world, we can see and feel the effects of it all around us and around the world.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Eph 2:
We see the influence and effects of these lower gods through the events like:
We see the influence and effects of these lower gods through the events like:
The holocaust of WW2 (Where Yahweh’s chosen people are slandered just because they belong to Yahweh.)
The atrocities and abominations of the nations of Canaan as they worshiped and served other gods.
The Muslim world that bands the the bible and Christianity
The Communist states that band the bible and Christianity
A post-christian United States of America that has turned from God by committing abominations against God while living in the freedoms and prosperity that we have for the Lord God.
The apocalypse yet to come as the Lord God defeats and subdues all other god’s. Jesus Christ revealed as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phil
And to my dismay, most people have no idea that they are living right in the middle of this “kingdom war” of the gods that is raging all around them.
It’s not just having trinkets and idols in your home.
It’s not just denying that God exists.
It’s allowing yourself to be influenced and controlled by another king and kingdom that is not the Lord God.
The Message of the Kingdom
The Message of the Kingdom
He was offering entrance into the kingdom of God through a new spiritual birth.
This was the message and influence of the Lord God taking on human flesh in the form of Christ. “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
As Christ, God stepped out of the spiritual realm into our physical realm to lead us back into the kingdom of God.
The book of Joshua is the deliverance of a people from the kingdoms of this world to serve the Lord God Almighty.
11 And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand. 12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. 13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’
Josh 24:11
We could tell our own stories of how God has delivered us from these kingdoms, influences, and powers that sought to control and destroy us, but were delivered through the salvation and power of our Lord Jesus Christ. The King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Joshua knew what he was fighting for. He understood the kingdoms that were represented.
We saw Rahab the harlot choose to serve the Lord God and was saved from the destruction to come. And just like Rahab we all have a choice to make.
14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:14
You must choose a Kingdom
You must choose a Kingdom
15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Our Place in the Kingdom
Our Place in the Kingdom
When Jesus stepped out of the spiritual realm into our physical realm his message was not forgiveness of sin, but that “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
When Jesus stepped out of the spiritual realm into our physical realm his message was not forgiveness of sin, but that “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He offers entrance into the kingdom of God through a new spiritual birth.
When Jesus stepped out of the spiritual realm into our physical realm his message was not forgiveness of sin, but that “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
As Jesus talked about entering the spiritual Kingdom of God, He explained that it was an unseen realm of which you couldn’t see it but you could feel the effects of it.
As Jesus talked about entering the spiritual Kingdom of God, He explained that it was an unseen realm of which you couldn’t see it but you could feel the effects of it.
As Jesus talked about entering the spiritual Kingdom of God, He explained that it was an unseen realm of which you couldn’t see it but you could feel the effects of it.
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Become a follower of King Jesus is denouncing all other gods and kingdoms and pledging allegiance and living under the rule of the kingdom of God.
Becoming a follower of King Jesus is denouncing all other gods and kingdoms, and pledging allegiance to the kingdom of God.
denouncing all other gods and kingdoms and pledging allegiance and living under the rule of the kingdom of God.
Once we put salvation in the context of the Kingdom we can better understand the choice that needs to be made.
To choose Christ and entrance into the kingdom of God is a choice of surrender and obedience. Letting Christ rule over your hearts and lives.
There are two requirements necessary for entrance in the Kingdom of God.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Our Position in the Kingdom
Our Position in the Kingdom
Belief in the resurrection acknowledges that Jesus is God and has power over death.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ opened the door to the kingdom.
To all those that desire entrance into the kingdom, Jesus has removed the obstacle of sin that was keeping us from God.
We call this the gospel. The good news Jesus the Christ.
Confessing that Jesus is Lord is your response to the gospel and entrance into His kingdom.
Placing you under the authority of Kingdom of God.
Securing your position in the Kingdom of God.
I need to say something to you that might sound hard, but I say it with much love:
“If you are still deciding if Jesus is your Lord, you are still at the point of salvation.”
“If you are still deciding if Jesus is your Lord, you are still at the point of salvation.”
You are standing at the door, you just need to surrender and step in.
Forgiveness of sin was never the goal but a means by which one could be transferred into the kingdom of God’s dear Son Jesus the Christ.
Confession that Jesus is Lord is entrance into the kingdom.
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Luke 6:
Putting your faith in Jesus is trusting his Lordship for your life.
Our Position in the Kingdom
Our Position in the Kingdom
Those that put their faith and trust in Christ are citizens of the household of God.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
We hold position as sons and daughters of the King.
Through the power and guidance of the King we are to expand the Kingdom and influence of God on the Earth.
“Producing Jesus followers of faith that expand God’s Kingdom.”
“Producing Jesus followers of faith that expand God’s Kingdom.”
15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Our Passion for the Kingdom
Our Passion for the Kingdom
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Joshua 24:
16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, 17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 And the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”
There is no other Kingdom like the kingdom of our God.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Once you have tasted of the Lord you know He is good.
“If you are still deciding if Jesus is your Lord, you are still at the point of salvation.”
Confession of Jesus as your Lord brings salvation and entrance into His Kingdom.