Are you most like people that have unfilled dreams, visions, and promises? Maybe you have given up on the expectation that you will ever receive them? In the fourth chapter of Hebrews, the writer speaks about the “remaining promises” that God had for Israel and why she had not “entered into” their fulfillment.

What’s keeping you from seeing your “unfulfilled promises” come to pass in your life? Yes, it may be the sovereign hand of God who may be testing or teaching you through a “wilderness” experience of unanswered prayer and promises. Israel wandered 40 years, instead of 40 days, for clearly revealed reasons. Maybe you haven’t had your promise fulfilled because of some of the same reasons. Let’s look at them, as given by the writer of Hebrews in chapter four, and see what we must do.

First, Israel did not see the “remaining promise” fulfilled because she failed to BELIEVE GOD (Heb. 4:1-3)! Maybe that’s you. You have the promise, you have heard the Word of the Lord, but it is not “united by faith,” and so it remains unfulfilled. You’ve gotta believe that “God is, and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Has your faith wavered in your quest for that “unfulfilled promise”? Unbelief still keeps promises from being fulfilled in our lives today!

Secondly, Israel didn’t experience the remaining promises because of SELF EFFORT. The example of God resting on the seventh day is a good one those who want the remaining promises fulfilled in their lives. We must cease from our own labors and fleshly efforts and LET GOD WORK. “For we who have believed enter that rest” (4:3). When faith is coupled with complete reliance on Almighty God, we are closer to seeing that promise fulfilled. “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you!” Yes, there is a place of true “rest” from our own works (4:8-10), and God says we can find it on our way to that promise fulfilled! Don’t try to do in the flesh what can only be done by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:3)!

Thirdly, Israel failed to OBEY GOD, and experienced the resulting consequence. Yes, “they failed to enter because of disobedience….” (4:6, 11). I wonder how many of us are not seeing that promise fulfilled because we have not surrendered in obedience to the Word and will of God in a matter?

We pray for families healed, but will we truly forgive the one who offended us (Eph. 4:30-31)?

We pray for healing in our bodies, but have we fully confessed and turned from sin (James 5:13-16)?

We pray for financial blessing and freedom from financial bondage, but have we failed to live by biblical principles of stewardship in the way we earn, spend, save, and give to God and His work (Mal. 3:6-12)?

“To obey is better than sacrifice…for rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry” (I Sam. 15:22-23). Will it be 40 days… or 40 years?

And fourth, to see the remaining promises fulfilled, we must KEEP OUR HEARTS OPEN and soft before God and man (Heb. 4:7). I have watched people going through the wilderness of unanswered and unfulfilled prayers and promises get hard and cynical. Don’t let it happen to you. Keep soft, open, humble, and childlike in your faith and hope! The Lord looks for the “broken and contrite heart.” Is yours?

Fifth, STAY IN THE WORD. The writer of Hebrews seems to interject these verses (4:12-13) almost out of context, unless we understand how important staying in the Word is as it relates to our wilderness experiences of unfulfilled promises. If you start looking to man’s ways and not God’s, you may stay in the wilderness a long time. We are so prone to seek answers and solutions from sources other than God and His Word. Much of the counseling profession today is based on man’s ideas laced with a verse of Scripture here and there to make it look “spiritual” or “Christian.” Watch out the “light cure” Jeremiah warned about. Go to the Word! Sink your teeth into the “meat” of God’s truth and counsel, especially when you are waiting for the remaining promises (Psalm 1). Don’t be sidetracked on your way to the “promised land” of fulfilled hopes and dreams.

Finally, HOLD FAST YOUR CONFESSION (4:14-16). Don’t let the heresy of the “positive confession,” or “name it, claim it” fallacies keep you from the truth of holding on to your confession of faith and hope (Heb. 10:23). If God has put a hope, promise, dream, and vision in your heart, and it is clearly God’s will for you, then “hang tight” in expectation that you will see it fulfilled (I John 5:14,15). Let me explain what I mean…

I can’t confess a Mercedes Benz and really believe it is God’s will for me. However, I can confess the salvation of my lost loved one, the restoration of my family, and the supply of my needs because these are promises in God’s Word. If they don’t happen, I don’t want my unbelief, disobedience, and lack of persistence in prayer to be the reason. I will trust my future to the hand of my Sovereign and Almighty God, but I don’t want anything I do to prevent me from entering into that remaining promise! So, KEEP BELIEVING!

Read Hebrews 4 again right now, and learn from the experience of Israel. I believe that many of you can come into the joy and blessing of those remaining promises, hopes and dreams. Verse 4:16 says it so well…. “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.”

II Cor. 10:3-5 - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

John Eldredge said, “There is something in human nature that just doesn’t want to face the reality that we live in two worlds.  We live in the physical, material world where we have jobs, read books, and go about our business. As we live in a spiritual world- and that is a world at war.”

We are warned about demonic activity in the last days in I Tim. 4 - “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits & doctrines of demons”

We often hear people say, “The Devil really hit me today, or “The Devil made me do it.” Well, it probably wasn’t Satan himself, but some of the foul, demonic spirits that are in his employ since their fall from grace back in eternity past.

These demonic forces are most often invisible. This is a spiritual warfare, not against flesh and blood. Remember Frank Peritti’s books! Demons are continuously at work knowing their time is short (Jesus is coming soon) they operate from “unseen world” and I believe are assigned to specific locations, nations, churches, families, and individuals. They serve Satan.

Well, what do we do to be “battle ready” for this warfare? That is the focus of this message. How do we dress for war? What are these might spiritual weapons every believer can muster?

Listen, Paul warns us to get God’s weapons and armor before we do battle with the Devil and his demonic forces.  II Cor. 10:3-5 -”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (Satanic strongholds). We are destroying speculations (wrong reasoning, warped philosophies) and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, (barriers erected against the truth of God) and we are taking every thought (emotion and impulse) captive to the obedience of Christ (into a life-structure shaped by Christ)

Let’s go to our text, Ephesians 6:10-18 (1173) (MES) - “God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from & forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters.

Vs. 10-11 “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

Let’s go to God’s dressing room today and get “battle ready” –>

-Truth - that which is true in every circumstance; not existential, objective truth; reality; fact; opposing corrupt precepts (ochuroma, logismos); truth as personal experience. “You shall know the truth, & the truth will set you free.” Eph 4:25- “Stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth.”

-Righteousness, the condition of soul and body acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, thinking, feelings, actions.

-Peace - quietness; rest; leading to peace =salvation; spreading

the Gospel of peace; fearing nothing-eternally secure in Christ

-Faith - (pistis) conviction, belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, strong believe that Jesus is Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God. Shield of faith to block doubt/darts of Satan

-Salvation - Minds guarded by the hope of salvation, and the blessed hope of Christ’s return and heaven.

-Word of God - utterance, message, things spoken from God.

This Bible is our “war manual” in this battle against the forces of hell. Read it, study it, know it….most of all…live it out in your daily life, marriage, family, business, ministry.  (Daily devotions, Small Groups, weekly church attendance/ministry, etc.).

-Prayer - talking to God; listening to God; petition, supplication, crying out to God.

(Let me suggest you read Bill Gothard’s book, “The Power of Crying Out to God.” It may change the way you pray in a crisis.)

Do you get it yet?  I just listed what some call basic, practical Christianity-101. Make dressing spiritually a daily spiritual discipline of humility.

James 4:6-8 (MES) - “It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time.

Prof. Robby George: “Campaigns of intimidation succeed only if the victims of such campaigns permit themselves to be intimidated.  The fizzle when people refuse to alter their behavior our of fear. As anyone who has ever confronted a school-yard bully knows, bullies are really cowards.”

I Peter 5:9-10 “Resist the Devil, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while….Christ will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

The Bible tells us in the first book about Satan’s defeat and and the last book about his defeat. Our victory began in the Garden when God promised that the “seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent.”   Satan is a defeated foe!

Let me close with Rom. 8:39 (NLT)“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN!

Yes, there will be many battles.  Who wins will depends on our walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you, but I like to win, and win we will because, “Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world…the flesh, and the devil!” (I John 4:4)

I believe that the most strategic question to answer for this demonic warfare is simply, “Does Jesus live IN, me by the power of the Holy Spirit?” If not, invite Him into your heart and life today!

If you are going to be “Battle Ready,” Ephesians 5:18 is your password to victory….”Be (being) filled (controlled) with the Holy Spirit… (guided and controlled by Him).

Ephesians 6:10-12- “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

My good friend, Dr. Bob Peterson, told me of an experience in a NYC Subway that he believes was an encounter with demonic spirits. To quote Dr. Bob, “The truth is, we are always battling the forces of Satan.  Most of the time, we don’t know it. But for a brief moment I saw the invisible made visible.”

Do we have to see the Devil face to face to recognize his M-O?

-When a couple, even Christians, suddenly find themselves in constant conflict;

-When a child starts to drift into rebellion and disrespect;

-When a Christian is exposed for living a double life of impurity;

-When a church begins to experience division and conflict for no apparent good reason at all;

-When conservative, family values Politicians fall into sin;

-When leading T.V. Pastors and evangelists fall in immorality or financial improprieties, and damage the name of Christ.

-When a governmen seems almost evil in its actions.

When these things happen, why doesn’t the Church of Jesus Christ rise up and call on God to rebuke and bind Satan in the name and through the blood of Jesus Christ?  Isn’t that what the Bible teaches in Zechariah 4 & Jude 9?

Why don’t Christian parents cry out to God to put a hedge of protection around that rebellious child and bind the Devil? Why doesn’t an abused wife cry out to God for protection from a camouflaged demonic attack?

Are you getting what I am saying today?  Why are we so reluctant to identify Satan, not people, as the culprit behind such things?

Why do we fight, argue, bicker in marriage, family, even church?  James answers in James 4:1-8(MES)  “Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen?  They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have.. You want what isn’t yours…You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way.” Sounds like the Devil to me!

I want you to wake up to the reality of Satan’s attempts to destroy every Christian marriage, every Godly child, every powerful church and ministry. Listen, the Bible is clear about whom Satan is & what his demonic forces are out to accomplish.

The great Chinese military strategist, Sun Tzu wrote in his book, “The Art of War” – “The first rule of war is to know your enemy. Wars are lost because we have not identified the right enemy. And when we do, we misjudge his power.” I might add that it may be equally as important to know yourself and your need of strength to do battle with him.  This is spiritual warfare!

Who are these demonic spirits, and where did they come from?

Rev. 12:7 goes back to the beginning when it reports, “There was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

Luke 10:17-18- Jesus saw it all, “The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.”

In the flesh, we are no match for the Devil, and that’s what Paul was saying in our text, Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (MES) This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.”

I Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

(MES) “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.

The Bible calls him Satan-adversary; Devil-accuser; Serpent-deceitful; Beelzebub-lord of dung; Belial-worthless; Lucifer-light-bearer; Wicked-cruel; Tempter-inciter; Prince of this world- the one who controls people & nations.

Satan accomplishes his work through his demonic fallen angels.

(BKC) “A demon is an evil supernatural being or evil spirit. Mt 8.16-31 “They brought to him many who were demon possessed and he drove out many demons; the evil spirits begged him’. The Devil may be spoken of as ‘the chief of the demons,’ sometimes demons are called ‘the spirits of the Devil’ or ‘the servants of the Devil.” Different kinds of demons may be responsible for particular kinds of human behavior, for example, insanity, depression, sex perversion, and violent assault. Sometimes demons are classified as “those of the home or forest.” Mt 8.16 speaks of, “many possessed by demons.” The expression may be “the person possesses a demon” or “the demon commands the person.”  Some call it “demonized.”

We are warned about demonic activity in the last days in I Tim. 4: “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits & doctrines of demons”

These demonic forces are most often invisible. This is a spiritual warfare, not against flesh and blood. Demons are continuously at work knowing their time is short (Jesus is coming soon) they operate from “unseen world” and I believe are assigned to specific locations, nations, churches, families, and individuals. They serve Satan.

(Let me suggest you read or reread “This Present Darkness” by Frank Peritti.

Well, what do we do to be “battle ready” for this warfare?

Listen, Paul warns us to get God’s armor before we do battle with the Devil and his demonic forces.  II Cor. 10:3-5 (1161) “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (Satanic strongholds). We are destroying speculations (wrong reasoning’s, warped philosophies) and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, (barriers erected against the truth of God) and we are taking every thought (emotion and impulse) captive to the obedience of Christ (into a life-structure shaped by Christ)

The most strategic question to answer for this demonic warfare is simply, “Does Jesus live IN me by the power of the Holy Spirit?” If not, invite Him into your heart and life today!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Hebrews 1:6,7, 14 “And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.”  (14) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”

It was sometime during World War II that Tommy Kit, my boss for many years while in high school, was away in battle on the seas of the South Pacific.  His ship was hit with a torpedo and the call came to “abandon ship.”  They all jumped, and that was the last thing Tommy remembered.  The next thing he recalled was being lifted from the wave tossed shoreline, and set down on the sands, miraculously surviving the trip ashore.  As he looked up to see who helped him, no one was there.  Tommy believed it was an angel.

In the hours following the fall of the Twin Towers on 9/11, a rescuer heard a faint cry. It was a young woman who had been under the rubble for over 24 hours had all but given up hope. A backslidden believer, she cried out to God, and cried out for help to the rescuers.  Hours later she heard a voice, and then a few minutes later, after much rubble was removed, she saw a hand from a man who identified himself as “Paul.”  He pulled her up, called the ambulance, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital, alive and well.  Paul was never found, even though the story about her written in Time Magazine asked for him to reveal himself so she could thank him.  She stood here at Gateway, gave her testimony, and expressed her belief that Paul was an angel sent to rescue her from sure death.

Angels have always fascinated us from the beginning of time.  The appearances of these celestial beings date back to the Old Testament patriarchs Abraham, Jacob, and the Prophets.

Even in our culture, Angels have always caught the imagination of the media and entertainment world.  Hollywood and television have made a fortune on angels, often as comedies.  One of our favorites is the spoof “Angels in the Outfield.”  Remember that fantastic catch?

As in some many cases, the idea of angels originated in the Bible. 

According to Scripture, God created these angelic beings sometime before he created the earth and human beings. It was in the eternities past that God created them as His special envoys to bring His message to His creation. 

They exist in the invisible world around us. In modern times this invisible world is called the Fifth Dimension, or the Twilight Zone.  In his book “Screwtape Letters,” C.S. Lewis wrote, “This invisible world is more real than the our own, yet Satan deceives us into thinking that it does not exist.”  The Greek philosopher Plato said, “It is the unseen world that controls the world that we see.”  

Sometimes these invisible angels take a human or animal form to do the work of God or, unfortunately, the work of the Devil.   Yes, Scripture clearly teaches that many of the angels left their original created state as God’s servants, to serve the Devil.  As we study Scripture, learn that Satan deceived some of the angels when he was cast out of the heavens,

II Peter 2:4, tells us “God did not spare (the rebel) angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment.” We’ll talk more about “demons” or “fallen angels” later.

Don’t look now, but this room is filled with angelic beings even as I speak.  If we could lift the veil that separates the visible from the invisible, we could see angels everywhere.  Let me prove it to you from Scripture.  The Bible teaches….

1- GOD ASSIGNS GUARDIAN ANGELS. Matt. 18:1-10  (MES)

 “The disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom? ”For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me. “But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! (10) “Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?”

Let me give a special word to you parents who have children.  Isn’t it comforting to know that God has assigned angels to watch over them?  That’s why it is so important to bring them to Jesus.  Don’t hinder them from knowing and serving Jesus by your own spiritual indifference. 

If there is an invisible war going on around us today (and there is) cry out to God to keep those angels close to your children lest Satan begin their destruction in childhood.  Can you see why we are focusing on Children’s Ministry here at Gateway? D. L. Moody once reported two and one half converts at one of his meeting.  When his wife asked if two adults and one child got saved, he responded, “No, two children and one adult. The children have a full life ahead, and the adult had one half left to live!”

Can I say that those Guardian Angels assigned to the children don’t leave them when they grow up?  Yes, all true believers probably have a special angel who is in touch with God about our needs. 

2. ANGELS MINISTER IN TIMES OF NEED.  Heb. 1:7,14 “And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.”  (14) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”  (MES) “Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?”

I’m not sure it is obvious to many of us.  Do you believe it today?  I think the reason is found in Hebrews 13:2- “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Did I read that correctly?  Because they come from the unseen world around us, they can take the form of a homeless person, or hungry bum on the street asking for a donation; or a stranger asking directions; or a visitor to church searching for truth.

How many times has someone who might have been an Angel unaware helped us?  Stop for a moment and think of the times it may have happened in your life.

3. ANGELS ARE ASSIGNED TO CHURCHES.

In Revelation 2-3, we know of at least seven angels, assigned to the Seven Churches of Revelation.  The word “angel” literally means, “one who is sent; messenger; envoy”

Listen, would God give Ephesus an angel and not Gateway?  I don’t believe it.  I believe that God assigns angels to churches, especially when He sees Satan on the attack.  I’ll share some things about that later, but for today let me praise God for the angels sent to help Gateway through these 44 years:

-Surviving with 16 people, no buildings, little salary, no growth for 11yrs

-Explosive growth in 70’s & 80’s, buying this property and our relocation.

-Divine protection over these past 2 years of “stormy weather.”

No one could convince me that God isn’t sending ministering spirits, (Heb. 1:14) “Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?”   When a church is ready to explode in power and growth, God knows Satan is going to attack.  Well, here come the angels!

If God assigns angels to churches, then for sure He sends them to their pastors, Rev. 2:1- “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars (pastors) in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (churches)” This is my personal blessed assurance today.

Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus is walking among His churches right now?  Though unseen, He and his angels are ministering to each one of us if we will receive the work of the Holy Spirit.

-Unsaved, uncommitted, open your heart to Him right now.

-Backslidden, indifferent Christian, turn back, repent, and get right!

-Christ-follower, in the midst of a battle, He is here!

4-ANGELS ARE ASSIGNED TO NATIONS.  

A very revealing thing happens in Daniel 10.  Daniel was informed by his angel that Michael the archangel had been in a ferocious battle against the great “prince” (demon) of the Kingdom of Persia for 21 days.  Michael has won the battle, and his prayers have finally broken through to God. Vs. 10:14-”But now I have come to give you understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days.” 

I believe that there are demonic forces controlling nations today.  How else can we explain the diabolical actions of many world governments and leaders in past history and the world today?

If there are demonic domains over nations then we can believe that there are angelic forces protecting Nations that are called by God of fulfill his purposes on earth.

This is true of Israel, in God’s promise to Abraham, Gen. 12:2,3-       

“And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Our Founding Father’s believed God’s promise for America. Ben Franklin said, “God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”   Remember what George Washington said, “I am sure there never was a people who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States.”

The great battle America faces today is not with a liberal, biblically disoriented Congress and Administration; not with terrorist forces at home and Mid-East; not with a young generation gone wild with sex, drugs, rebellion; but against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the invisible world around us.

5. ANGELS ANNOUNCE CHRIST’S RETURN.

Galatians 3:19 tells us that the angels were involved in Christ’s first coming, (MES)  “The purpose of the law was to keep a sinful people in the way of salvation until Christ came, inheriting the promises and distributing them to us. Obviously this law was not a firsthand encounter with God. It was arranged by angelic messengers through Moses.”

Yes, and they will be involved in His second coming.  I Thess. 4:13-18  “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (MES)  Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words.

II Thess. 1:7-10  “When the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day”

Oh yes, as our text in Hebrews 1 states,  (MES) “Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?  (NLT)  “Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.”

I’m not sure unbelievers have angels tending to them today, but I am sure that every born-again, Spirit-baptized, Christ-follower has angels, though often unaware, helping them, their families, businesses, ministries.  

Do you?  

An increasing number of Americans, especially younger ones, have come to the conclusion that they can be spiritual without the church. Ask them about their relationship to God & they affirm Him.  But ask them about going to church regularly, or joining a church & you get this, “Why bother?”

I want to give you some reasons to think about your answer to the question, “Why bother?” Consider with me some of the studies that have been done that might change your opinion if you are still “on the fence” about the importance of regular church attendance and membership. 

Today in America only 25-40% of Americans attend church, and that amount is getting less. While 82% of Americans list “good family life” as their number one wish, obviously few see the connection between their families regularly attending a good church, as help in reaching that goal.

When investigating the practices of successful families in USA, Germany, Austria, South America and South Africa, they discovered that “Their philosophy of life or religion was a major resource; they had a high degree of religious orientation. Most belonged to an organized church.  These families considered themselves highly committed to spiritual values.”  

What these studies revealed about Evangelical churches like Gateway was particularly revealing:

-89% of Evangelical Clergy and Christians, believe divorce should be avoided at all times, except in rare circumstances. Contrast that with 40% of non-evangelicals and 57% clergy.

-75% of Evangelicals attend church weekly, compared to 26%.

In other words, the high value of saving a marriage is directly related to church attendance and involvement in a Bible-believing, Evangelical church. 

These kinds of studies have been done since 1939.  In his book, “Functioning Families” Dr. B. Schlesinger, shows that “Strong support by Judeo-Christian religious precepts in a family included the abilities to: 

1) Be committed to each other. 

2) Show respect for each other.

3) Emotionally support each other. 

4) Enjoy each other.

5) Communicate effectively with each other.

6) Create a well-defined power structure that is flexible, and “has the father as the most frequent leader”.

7) Deal with crises effectively in a positive manner.

Listen, that list supports all we have said in this series.  When spouses from long lasting & happy marriages were asked, “What would be your prescription for a happy marriage?”  Wives ranked the “importance of religion” as the highest factor! The general public marked it 6th!  Where do YOU rank it?

Listen to this study relating church to health issues: “Using an index or religiousness that included church attendance and importance in a family, “The less religious had mortality levels twice that of those more religious. Both married and religious people were found to have significantly lower death rates than non-married & non-religious. Those who had mental illness less frequently were associated with a church & attended regularly”

No wonder the Paul connected the Christ & the Church to husbands, wives and marriage. Ephesians 5:25-27  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”  (MES) “Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her,”  

Ladies, to all you can to get your husbands to church every week.  It will make a difference in your marriage & family.  Men, your family needs you!   Rise up, love and lead them as Christ does the church. 

How true are the words of I Sam. 2:30 -“Therefore the Lord God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever’ for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.”

Let me conclude this series on a high note of hope. These studies showed the results related to a high commitment to spiritual values. Look at them:

1) These families saw God as the “source of strength” for individuals, as well as the family as a whole.

In what, or in who are you trusting today as your source of strength, wisdom, hopes for success in your family?

2) They felt God has a purpose in their lives and families.

Do you and your family sense God’s special purpose for each member and the family as a whole?  Do you all know your gifts and abilities? Are you developing them in your home and church?

3) They had an awareness of God in “day to day” living.

Do you recognize God’s hand at work in “everything” that happens in your life, marriage, family, ministry, job, school?

4) Their faith was “personal, practical, day to day,” rather than theoretical and hypocritical.   What is your faith like?

Here is the bottom line to success in everything, including family and marriage.  It’s the difference between churchianity and Christianity; religion and reality; a phony or a true Christ- follower. 

It’s the “18-inch difference” in your life and mine, or can be!  What is in our minds about God must get into our hearts.  That’s what happens when we are “born-again” by the Holy Spirit.  A new life begins from the “inside out.”

When you know and live for God, He’s on your side when Satan tries to attack and destroy your family & marriage.  Remember Job, (1:5-10), “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless & upright man, fearing God & turning away from evil. Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? “Have You not made a hedge about him & his house & all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, & his possessions have increased.”

That’s what I want, “Delight”, not “Desperation!”    Do you?              

Dr. Richard Larner wisely said, “The family you come from isn’t as important as the family you’re going to have.”   Take your stand today with Joshua, “Choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” 

MAKE THE CHOICE TODAY! Avoid ever becoming a “Desperate Family!”