“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” ~Jesus (Luke 6:27-36)
Enemies
Words for Christian Living – Fear
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” Psalm 27:1-3 (KJV)
What place does fear have in the life of a Christian and/or Christian living? One place; Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). Someone has said, “If we fear God we need fear nothing else”.
The Psalmist tells us that the LORD is his light and salvation. If that be so, then whom does the Psalmist need to fear; or who does any Child of God need fear; or what do we need to fear?
We can be troubled on every side. Health, wealth (or lack of wealth worry about paying the rent, house payment, bills), personal attacks from others, even looming death may be one of the things that strike fear into our hearts. There is no benefit from this worry. Worry is nothing more or less than fear. God is our strength.
We need to hear the words of Jesus and trust Him…
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, ‘What shall we eat? or, ‘What shall we drink? or, ‘Wherewithal shall we be clothed?’ (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:30-34 (KJV)
Lifting the Standard in the Face of the Foe
The following is from the daily Spurgeon sponsored by Bible Gateway.
‘When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.’ Isaiah 59:19
Suggested Further Reading: Ephesians 6:10–18
Christian, you are in the land where foes abound. There are enemies within you; you are not clean delivered from the influence of inbred sin. The new nature is of divine origin, and it cannot sin because it is born of God; but the old nature, the carnal mind, is there too, and it is not reconciled to God, neither indeed can it be; and therefore it strives and struggles with the new nature. The house of Saul in our heart wars against the house of David, and tries to drive it out and despoil it of the crown. This conflict you must expect to have continued with more or less of violence till you enter into rest. Moreover, in the world without there are multitudes of foes. This vain world is no friend to the principle of the work of grace. If you were of the world the world would love its own, but as you are not of the world but of a heavenly race, you may expect to be treated as an alien and foreigner, no, as a hated and detested foe. All sorts of snares and traps will be laid for you; those who sought to entangle the Master in his speech will not be more lenient towards you. Moreover there is one whose name is called ‘the enemy,’ the ‘evil one;’ he is the leader among your adversaries; hating God with all his might, he hates that which he sees of God in you. He will not spare the arrows in his infernal quiver; he will shoot them all at you. There are no temptations which he knows of—and he understands the art well from long practice—there are no temptations which he will not exercise upon you. He will sometimes fawn upon you, and at other times will frown; he will lift you up, if possible, with self-righteousness, and then cast you down with despair. You will always find him your fierce, insatiable foe. Know this then, and put on the whole armour of God.
For meditation: Self, society and Satan are an unholy trinity to follow (Ephesians 2:2–3) and an unholy trinity to fight, but, in Christ, self (Romans 7:24–25), society (Galatians 1:3–4) and Satan (John 17:15; Hebrews 2:14–15) can all be overcome (Hebrews 2:18).
Sermon no. 718
28 October (1866)
What Spurgeon said on October 28, 1866 is just as applicable in October of 2012.
-T.A.
Jealous GOD, Vengeance, and His Enemies
The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserveth wrath for His enemies.” Nahum 1:1-2 (KJV)
It is too bad when there are some who claim to know GOD, and do not and cannot see Him as being “Jealous”. He is the defender of His own glory. He is the defender of His own worship. There is no other to worship, and he holds all who will not follow His prescribed plan accountable.
It is so much better to rest in His grace, under the cross of Jesus Christ; His only begotten Son; and see Him in His love and grace. It is far better to be His friend, child, and worshipper than to be an enemy under His judgment.
O, Come to the cross where all of God’s vengeance for His enemies was poured out upon His only begotten Son.
-T.A.
Councils, Sparrows and Enemies
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, ‘Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of Man be come.’ The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:16-39 (KJV)
Notice the three “Fear nots” in the text above. The word also of Whom we are to fear.
-T.A.
God’s Word Today 081812
Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; ‘Behold, I have sworn by My great name, saith the LORD, that My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, ‘The Lord GOD liveth.’ ‘Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them. Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, Mine, or theirs. And this shall be a sign unto you,’ saith the LORD, ‘that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that My words shall surely stand against you for evil.’ Thus saith the LORD; ‘Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.” Jeremiah 44:26-30 (KJV)
-T.A.
Day 43 – Thoughts from Psalms; Enemies
Of all things for me to write about. Enemies? I really feel as though I have no enemies within the human race; at least as far as someone just out to destroy or hurt me. However, I know that as a believer in Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior I do have enemies who would like to hush the message of Christ; and of God. Therefore because there are enemies of Christ, His cross, His God and eternity they are and must be my enemies as well.
Have I noticed these enemies of the cross of Christ? Most definitely. They are those who hate God, hate righteousness, Justice, genuine peace and love, and all that is holy. They are those who hate the way of God, and choose their own way.
My reading today took me from Psalm 108 through Psalm 121. I found the word “enemies” seven times in those fourteen Psalms. What is the deal with the Psalms and enemies? It is quite apparent that David, and the kings of Israel had enemies. You have enemies as well; especially if you are a Christian.
For the most part we need to realize that our enemy is the Devil, otherwise known as Satan, the Old serpent. He is also known as the “Accuser of the brethren”. All conflict between human beings is because of sin and Satan. Those people who hate God, God’s word and God’s people are full of hate for God because of the deceit of the devil.
I want us to look at what the seven verses have to say about “enemies”.
“Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.” Psalm 108:13 (KJV)
This comes from a Psalm which is called a Psalm or Song of David. David of all people knows the strength and power of God to deliver from enemies, and from trouble. He also knows that it is God who will give him the ability to do “valiantly” and that God is the one who will “tread down our enemies”.
“The LORD said unto my Lord, ‘Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion: rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies.'” 110:1-2
Two uses of the word “enemies” is found in one Psalm and the first two verses. It is a Psalm of David as well, and is directed as the LORD speaking to the Lord. This, of course, has Messianic wording, and is speaking of the Messiah who is Jesus Christ. This is not an argument. It is a clear statement that the LORD – Jehovah, YHWH [YaHWeH] – has a Son and that He is deity. The Messiah is being told by the Father, “Sit at My right hand, until I make thine enemies Thy footstool.” Jesus’s former state before He was born a babe in a manger was a seated position at the Father’s right hand. Following His death on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection He was given back that position, and all enemies were placed under His feet; where ultimately all the enemies of God and Christ will be destroyed.
“His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.” 112:8
This Psalm is speaking of the “man that fears the LORD” (v. 1). The heart of such a man is stable, trustworthy, and is not afraid of anything that enemies can throw at him. He is a man who will see his desire come about upon his enemies. Now for the Christian we pray for our enemies; our prayer being that they might have their eyes opened, their hearts opened to Christ, and be saved. Then they would no longer be our enemy, but our brethren and friends.
“Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” 119:98
Because the Christian has the commandments of God, trust them, believes them, and lives by them he/she will be wiser than the enemy of Christ. The commandments of the LORD are forever, and they are forever with the one’s who love God, and His word.
“My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten Thy words.” 119:139
The following is from the TREASURY OF DAVID on Psalm 119:139;
In Psa_119:137-138 David spoke concerning his God and his law; here he speaks of himself, and says, “My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words”, this was no doubt occasioned by his having so clear a sense of the admirable character of God’s word. His zeal was like a fire burning within his soul. The sight of man’s forgetfulness of God acted as a fierce blast to excite the fire to a more vehement flame, and it blazed until it was ready to consume him. David could not bear that men should forget God’s words. He was ready to forget himself, ay, to consume himself, because these men forgot God. The ungodly were David’s enemies: his enemies because they hated him for his godliness; his enemies, because he abhorred them for their ungodliness. These men had gone so far in iniquity that they not only violated and neglected the commands of God, but they appeared actually to have forgotten them. This put David into a great heat; he burned with indignation. How dare they trample on sacred things! How could they utterly ignore the commands of God himself! He was astonished, and filled with holy anger.
FROM the Treasury of David by Charles H. Spurgeon. e-Sword
We will end these thoughts from Psalms with the final verse in the reading today.
“Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from Thy testimonies.” 119:157
Sometimes it seems we have all kinds of persecutions and enemies; but in all these things we are to be victors. We are to never decline from the testimonies of our LORD.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Enemies of the Cross
Enemies of the Cross
Philippians 3:17-21
1. Paul addresses the brethren of Phillipi.
2. Paul as a “pattern” in example.
3. Weeping for the enemies of the cross.
4. Heavenly citizenship.
5. The enemy will be conquered.
I. THE BRETHREN ARE TO FOLLOW PAUL’S EXAMPLE (v. 17).
II. BEWARE THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST AND WEEP (vv. 18-19).
III. OUR EARTHLY AND OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIPS (v. 20).
IV. A TRANSFORMATION AND CONFORMATION (v. 21)
i. We are to be an example for those who will come after us;
ii. Let us be defenders of the cross, living for Christ;
iii. Live as citizens of Heaven;
iv. Live as though the Kingdom is already come.
-T.A.
This is the sermon outline for the Sunday morning message at Carr Lane Baptist Church on 09/25/11.
Observations From Mark – 031611
Today’s Reading is from Mark 11 – 13.
The religious leaders of Jesus ‘s day were having trouble with the idea of Messiah being more than a man; however, Jesus asks them a question concerning a writing of David, a king of Israel whom they all respected, and admired.
“And Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, ‘How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.’ David therefore himself calleth Him Lord; and whence is He then his son?’ And the common people heard Him gladly.” Mark 12:35-37 (KJV)
In this statement which is quoted from Psalm 110:1 declares Messiah to be David’s Lord. The scribes are correct in calling Christ or Messiah the “Son of David”; however, since David is calling Him “Lord” then there is a great confession from David that the Christ is also the Son of God, the God-Man.
The following is a quote from the MacArthur Study Bible on verse 37;
12:37 David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ Jesus interpreted Ps. 110:1 for the Pharisees. David would not have called one of his descendants “Lord.” Thus the Messiah is more than the “Son of David”– He is also the “Son of God.” Jesus was proclaiming the Messiah’s deity, and thus His own (cf. Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8; Matt. 22:45).
and from the ESV Study Bible;
Mark 12:35–37 While in the temple, Jesus publicly raises a question that he has already discussed in private with his disciples: who is the Messiah of God—is he essentially the son of David or the Lord of David? Jesus’ point is not to deny that the Messiah is a descendant of David (e.g., Ps. 2:1–12; 89:1–52; Isa. 9:1–7; Jer. 23:5–6; Ezek. 34:23–24). The issue is that, in this passage (i.e., Ps. 110:1–5), there is no mention of the Messiah being the son of David; rather, the Messiah is here the “Lord of David” (see note on Matt. 22:41–46). Jesus affirms the divine inspiration of the Psalm through the Holy Spirit. The Lord (Hb. Yahweh) grants to David’s Lord (Hb. ’Adonay) an exclusive place of honor at his right hand and helps David’s Lord overcome his enemies. Jesus anticipates being exalted to the right hand of God, and thus he far transcends any expectation of a merely political, Davidic messiah.
When anyone argues against the deity of Jesus Christ they argue against the very word of God; Old and New Testaments.
-Tim A. Blankenship
When You Go To Battle
It could be said, that you and I have either been in a battle, will be in a battle, are presently in a battle, or are just getting through a battle.
There are many times in Scriptures when God says, “Be not afraid…” or something equivalent to that phrase, like, “Fear not”. These are meant as words of comfort, encouragement, and trust in the Lord.
One of those verses is found in the twentieth chapter of Deuteronomy and in the first verse. “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them; for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” Now isn’t that a wonderful verse of encouragement and hope.
As you read this you may think, “Well, I am not in battle.” Maybe you are thinking of a physical battle where blood is being shed, and that is not exactly what I mean. As Christians we face an enemy every day, and that enemy is also the enemy of God. He hates God, and hates God’s people and will attack the God of creation through His people.
Everyday we enter a battle. The word here is “Be not afraid of them”. The “Them” of course being the enemy. The reason we need not be afraid is because the LORD our God is with us, and He is the one who delivered us from our Egypt – the world of sin and its condemnation.
Do not fear; trust the LORD.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Jesus – Powerful Servant
“And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.” Mark 3:20-30 (KJV)
The profane religious rulers and leaders were accusing Jesus of using the power of the devil to cast out demons. Jesus tells them that Satan will not cast himself out of any place. That would be self defeating. It is ridiculous for these men to accuse Jesus this way. In doing so they condemn themselves because they have rejected the only means of salvation.
The Holy Spirit is the means by which people are convicted of sin, their lostness, their condemnation, and by which they may know the path to eternal life. The path to eternal life is shown by the Spirit to be Jesus Christ. To equate the works of the Spirit of God to the devil is to reject God. All that awaits those who reject the ministry of the Holy Spirit is eternal judgment.
The “Lake of fire”, as it is called in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, is the place where all those who have called the work of the Spirit of the devil will spend all eternity. You see; God created man an eternal being. An eternal soul is given to every individual upon conception in the mother’s womb. By that is meant the future, not eternal in the past; for we did not preexist as Christ has.
Just as surely as there is a Heaven there is a Hell. God is just, holy and righteous, and He will not allow the unholy in His presence. All that reject the work of the Holy Spirit; the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are bound for an eternity of judgment. There will be no relief from the fires of Hell. Jesus Himself described it as the place where “…The worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” He mentions this several times in the ninth chapter of Mark. It has been said that Jesus said more about Hell than He did of Heaven.
There is one thing for certain. No one needs go to the place of fiery judgment. Jesus paid the price for all sin. He already endured the judgment for our sin.
“There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” Mark 3:31-35 (KJV)
In verse 21 it tells us that Jesus’ friends came for Him saying, “He is beside Himself”. With friends like that who needs enemies. Right? Well now we see that His family – mother, brothers, sisters – are standing outside the group wanting to get to Him. When they tell Jesus they are “seeking” for Him He just tells them what is more important, and that is those who will believe in Him.
Those who do the will of God are His brethren. Are you His brother, sister, mother, father? At this point in Jesus’ life it appears that His “family” – apparently even Mary – is not sure of who He is.
This is what John recorded that Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29 (KJV)”. If you want to please God and have eternal life with Jesus Christ call upon the name of Jesus and be saved, then you will be a part of His brethren. Do it today.
-Tim A. Blankenship
