The Final Battle - May 27, 2018 sermon

    By Pastor Greg

A guy goes into the doctor's office. He has a banana stuck in one ear, a cucumber in the other ear, and a carrot up his nose.  The guy says, "Doc, I feel terrible. What's wrong with me?"  The doctor says, "Well, first of all, you're not eating right."

As I look at the world today I have this nagging feeling that something is not right; something lurking in the shadows is trying to destroy all that is good.  I can sense this; or, borrowing the words of Han Solo, “I got a bad feeling about this.”  Can you sense something?  It seems to be chipping away at morality; it tries to dismantle the ethical foundation that keeps us from becoming monsters.  Have you ever wondered “what” or “who” is manipulating us from the shadows?

In 1909, Lewis Chafer wrote a fantastic book simply titled Satan.  In Chapter 7 he discusses the methods Satan employs to deceive the world.  Even 100 years ago, men and women of God were faced with counterfeit systems of truth; they witnessed the rise of religion, but a religion that draws humanity away from the Lordship of Jesus.  Chafer writes, “Satan can satisfy all the external religious cravings of the world, and yet accomplish his own end by withholding that on which man’s only hope depends" (Chafer, L. S. (1909). Satan (p. 83). New York: Gospel Publishing House).  Satan knows we are creatures longing for eternity, but he draw us away from the only One who can help us get there.  That “hope” is the message of Jesus; everlasting life can be found only in Him.  “God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 4:12). Carol Stream, IL.).   

The Bible teaches us about Lucifer; he is a fallen angel, the father of all lies, and the great deceiver (John 8:44).  Presently, Satan and his demons are restrained… forcing them to work just out of sight.  He and his legion deceive humanity and lead unsuspecting men and women away from Jesus.  His goal is to corrupt all that God has made good.  This is the work of that ancient beast, as he is called in Revelation.  He is the Great Dragon.  From the first time we meet him in Genesis until the very end, he has been deceiving and lying to humanity.

Most of Revelation is God’s promise to put an end to Satan’s trickery.  The 7 seals, trumpets, and bowls all depict a process where the great deceiver, and all who follow him, are judged and thrown into prison.  This happens during a great war in Megiddo; a broad plain the lies below Mount Carmel in Israel.

(Revelation 16:12-21) ¹² Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance. ¹³ And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. ¹⁴ They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.

¹⁵ “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

¹⁶ And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.

¹⁷ Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air. And a mighty shout came from the throne in the Temple, saying, “It is finished!” ¹⁸ Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And a great earthquake struck—the worst since people were placed on the earth. ¹⁹ The great city of Babylon split into three sections, and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble. So God remembered all of Babylon’s sins, and he made her drink the cup that was filled with the wine of his fierce wrath. ²⁰ And every island disappeared, and all the mountains were leveled. ²¹ There was a terrible hailstorm, and hailstones weighing as much as seventy-five pounds fell from the sky onto the people below. They cursed God because of the terrible plague of the hailstorm (Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Re 16:12–21). Carol Stream, IL.).

This place is called Har-Magedon.  It means “a place of troops.”  Old Testament judges like Barak and Gideon fought battles in this area.  It’s a perfect battlefield - 14 miles wide and 20 miles long.  Most Bibles call this place Armageddon.  One day in the future, Satan will lure the armies of the earth to fight a massive war in this place.

True to his nature, Satan will deceive the Kings and Generals into believing they are actually marching against the Antichrist.  You see, they will grow weary of his tyranny, these armies will attempt to end his religious and economic control.  But, these soldiers will not realize that they have been deceived; Satan has actually gathered them to resist the arrival of the Messiah.  You see, Satan will realize the Lord is about to come, so he deceives the nations of the world and lures them into war.

Do you find it a bit strange that kings and generals are deceived into fighting this war?  Did they not know?  Had they not learned about this trickery?  It's written right here in this Book!  However, before we start judging their gullibility, are we not just as naïve today?  Don’t we fall for Satan’s lies and tricks today?  Working through the unsuspecting and unprepared, Satan is doing a pretty good job today at making a mess of this world.

Satan is working in the background; his influence is subtle.  Sure, God will eventually judge all that Satan has corrupted; his religious system (Revelation 17), his political and economic system (chapter 18), and his military power (chapter 19).  These judgments will happen one day in the future, but for now, Satan manipulates from the shadows.

The reason I tell you this is because you need to know that Satan is working behind the scene… even now!  He is quietly manipulating unsuspecting individuals even today.  He deceives humanity.  He lures people away from Jesus.  He gives birth to selfishness, greed, envy, lust, and anger.  And even Christians are susceptible to this deceit (see Galatians 5:7-9).  We must be on our guard.
We must know what we are up against as well.

One of the great leaders of the first-century church wrote, “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places" (Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Eph 6:12). Carol Stream, IL.).  For this reason, Paul tells us to “Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13-18). Here, Paul mentions several ways we can defend ourselves against Satan, but he also mentions a weapon we can use in this war.

While Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, we learn that Satan uses scripture to lure us away from the truth (see Luke 4:9-12).  While Satan could not lead Jesus astray, he has been quite successful with many Christians.  Many have fallen for Satan’s tricks as his “half-truths” have lured many believers away from biblical truth.  Far too many Christians are deceived by Satan because they simply do not know their Bible well enough to perceive the lie.  According to Paul, the Bible is our sword; it is our weapon that “cuts through” those lies.  So, stand firm in the word.

Since Paul described this as a spiritual battle, our greatest triumph over evil comes from the Holy Spirit.  “Let the Holy Spirit guide your life,” says Paul (Galatians 5:16).  Trust Him, for He will not let you wander far from the path (Isaiah 30:21).

Yes, there is something not quite right in the world today.  What you and I are sensing is the influence of Satan.  We see it in our governments, in our economy, and in our religion.  In all ways, Satan is quietly deceiving the world.  For this reason, learn what your Bible says so you will be able to discern a lie.  Rely on the Holy Spirit.  He will not lead you astray.  It is the Holy Spirit who helps you overcome all the temptations in this world; He gives us victory, for “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 5:4-5).  And always remember; you do not need to fight this battle alone.  God has given you a church family who can support you and guide you when Satan attempts to lead you astray.

The First Five Bowl of God’s Wrath - May 20, 2018 sermon

By Pastor Greg ...

A college graduate applied for a spy job at the Central Intelligence Agency.  Together with several other applicants, he was given a sealed envelope and told to take it to the fourth floor.  As soon as the young man was alone, he stepped into an empty hallway and opened the packet. Inside, a message read: "You're our kind of person. Report to the fifth floor."

Isn’t that just like life?  The dishonest person get’s the job while a moral and ethical person is overlooked.  King Solomon observed this when he wrote, “In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless”^[1] (Ecclesiastes 8:14)!  Even so, Solomon recognized that one day, the wicked will stand before God in judgment.  “I know that those who fear God will be better off,”^[2] he writes.

Yes, a day is coming when the wicked will face the wrath of God; the book of Revelation bears witness to this truth.  In Chapter 16, John writes of God’s wrath being poured out upon humanity; these are the Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath.

(Revelation 16:1-11) ¹ I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Pour the seven bowls of God’s anger over the earth.”  ² The first angel poured his bowl over the earth. Horrible, painful sores appeared on the people who had the brand of the beast and worshiped its statue.  ³ The second angel poured his bowl over the sea. The sea turned into blood like the blood of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.  ⁴ The third angel poured his bowl over the rivers and the springs. They turned into blood. ⁵ Then I heard the angel of the water say,

“You are fair. You are the one who is and the one who was, the holy one,

because you have judged these things.  ⁶ You have given them blood to drink because they have poured out the blood of God’s people and prophets. This is what they deserve.”

⁷ Then I heard the altar answer, “Yes, Lord God Almighty, your judgments are true and fair.”  ⁸ The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun. The sun was allowed to burn people with fire. ⁹ They were severely burned. They cursed the name of God, who has the authority over these plagues. They would not change the way they think and act and give him glory.  ¹⁰ The fifth angel poured his bowl on the throne of the beast. Its kingdom turned dark. People gnawed on their tongues in anguish ¹¹ and cursed the God of heaven for their pains and their sores. However, they would not stop what they were doing.^[3]

Notice that these people felt God’s judgment was undeserved; they cursed the name of God.  And even now these “bowls of judgment” are causing problems.  Insisting that “God is love,” people today protest against those who teach of God’s judgment.  Insisting that “God loved me and made me the way I am,” they make no room in their lives for these biblical truths; in their single-minded approach to God, they must deny their sinfulness.  They don’t want to be confronted with God’s judgment; they just want to sit under the shade of God’s love; claiming that because He loves them, they can live in any way they desire. 

In this world, many attend church and think they are good.  “Surely God will not punish a good person,” they insist.  Unfortunately, many forget that Jesus will reject even the good person who fails to live according to the Father’s will.  In Matthew 7 Jesus says, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. ²² On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ ²³ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws”^[4] (Matthew 7:21-23).  

God is loving, yes; but He is also holy.  He offers mercy and grace to anyone and everyone.  But, those who reject the Messiah must also accept the consequences.  Reject Him on earth, and He will reject you in Heaven.  Although God does love us, we have a responsibility to admit our sin and repent of our sin. 

I suspect this lesson about “God’s Wrath” is difficult because more and more people refuse to admit their sin.  Yes, it’s true; we are sinful people… all of us are filled with sin!  Humanity is wretched and vile; selfish and cruel.  People can be downright hateful.  We hold a grudge.  We are greedy.  We only care about our own wellbeing… unless, of course, the Holy Spirit has transformed us.  But if it were not for Him, I shudder to imagine how hideous this world might become.

Read Romans 1:18-32 sometime.  You will be shocked at what you see.  Paul gives a lengthy list of symptoms that point to a disease called sin.  Without God, people…

suppress the truth, worship the creation rather than the creator, and do vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.  Men and women indulge in perverted sexual practices; men with men and women with women.  People are filled with every kind of wickedness, they are greedy, hateful, filled with envy; they murder, quarrel with one another, deceive one another, are malicious, and they gossip.  According to Paul, sinful people are backstabbers, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning. They disobey their parents, refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.

This list is somewhat disturbing because we know the world is filled with sinful people like these.  But what really makes this list difficult to read is what Paul says at the very end.  In Romans 2:1 Paul writes, “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.” ^[5]  Yes, it’s true.  If any one thing on that list describes me, then I am just as guilty as those who sin in another way… and I am just as deserving of God’s punishment as they are.

          I think we have forgotten this; we are so caught up in loving ourselves that we forget who we really are; we have all sinned and we have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  We are sinful people who deserve God’s punishment.  We deserve His “bowls of wrath.”  But because of Jesus, a person can be spared this time of judgment.  Although we deserve to be punished, Jesus took that punishment for us.  And by placing our faith in the work of Jesus, we are spared the judgment.  This is what makes His sacrificial death so amazing.  You see, we deserve the punishment we see mentioned in this section of Revelation.  But we are spared these “bowls of wrath” because of what Jesus did on the cross.

          Here’s the whole point.  We are mistaken when we judge others (or ourselves) as Good.  None of us are good when compared to God.  If being good was good enough then Jesus would not have needed to die on our behalf.  The truth is, I should suffer the same punishment as the people who endure these “Bowls of wrath.”  Why did King Solomon say that those who fear God are better off?  Because those who fear God recognize their sin, admit their sin, and understand that He will one day judge that sin.  Those who fear God humbly accept His offer of salvation which is found in His Son, Christ Jesus.  Believers are spared this period of judgment not because they are good but because they have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on their behalf.  Paul’s words are still true today.  “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” ^[6]

          It is our sin that keeps us separated from God.  Yet rather than leave us helpless, Jesus came and gave His life for ours.  You and I will be spared God’s wrath if we place our faith in the work of Jesus on the cross.  Those who trust in Jesus will not receive what they deserve; instead, they will receive grace and mercy from a loving God.

         

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^[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ec 8:14). Carol Stream, IL.

^[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ec 8:12). Carol Stream, IL.

^[3] GOD’S WORD Translation. (1995). (Re 16:1–11). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

^[4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 7:21–23). Carol Stream, IL.

^[5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Ro 2:1). Carol Stream, IL.

^[6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (2 Co 5:21). Carol Stream, IL.

My Mother, the Psychic - May 13, 2018 Mother's Day sermon

By Pastor Greg...

Have you heard the latest news?  It seems there is legislation in Harrisburg that would allow PennDOT to place speed cameras in active work zones on limited access highways.  Well, that’s great news, am I right?  Even when the police are not around, they will be able to tell if you have been speeding.

We didn’t have that kind of technology when I was younger.  We didn’t need it.  We had mothers.

My mother was a psychic.  No, seriously.  She should have been on the Ed Sullivan show (And now a really terrific act all the way from Pennsylvania.  Put your hands together for Lois).  I kid you not; I would pull in the driveway, and there was mom with that look on her face.  Somehow, she knew.  She always knew.

My mother had to constantly look over my shoulder when I was younger… which became a full-time job for her.  I was quite a handful.  I can still remember the lectures.  Mother would talk to me about good and acceptable behavior.  She would go on and on about why certain behaviors and actions were wrong.  Eventually, she would let out a sigh and, exasperated, remind me that I was a child of God.  I don’t know if she was trying to teach me this or convince herself.

I understand now what my mother was attempting to do.  She was trying to pass along godliness.  She desired that my behavior would be guided by Christian principles; that my life reflected Jesus.  And she wanted me to act this way even when she was not watching.

          Many mothers bring their children to church or Sunday school in hopes that they might learn godly characteristics; that they might learn how to love, how to be more joyful, how to be more peaceful, how to be patient and kind, and to learn how to practice some self-control.  For this reason, many godly mothers continue to teach their children godly characteristics.  And most mothers are looking forward to a day when their children can learn to do these things even when she is not watching.

          So, what is the best way to make that happen?  May I suggest you follow the example of Eunice and Lois.  These two women passed along their faith to a young man named Timothy.  And his faith caught the attention of the Apostle Paul.

          Writing to his young friend Timothy, Paul say, ⁵ I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. ⁶ This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.^[1] (2 Timothy 1:5-7). 

At what point were Lois and Eunice able to stop looking over this boy’s shoulder?  What happened that caused Timothy to develop these characteristics on his own?  When he left home to follow the traveling Apostle, how did they know the boy would live a godly life even though they were not around?

          Eunice was a Jew who took the responsibility of teaching her son Timothy the Holy Scriptures.  Paul admits this, as he writes, “You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus” ^[2] 2 Tim. 3:15).  From early childhood, his godly mother Eunice and his faithful grandmother Lois taught him the Word of God.  But I believe it was more than simply teaching these things.  I suspect Timothy was changed because he saw his mother and grandmother live what they believed.  They allowed Timothy to see their faith, not just lecture the boy about the faith.  But also notice what else Paul says here; these women helped Timothy “receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”

          As Timothy watched his mother and grandmother live their faith, they passed along to the young man the reason for what he was seeing in them.  These two women were loving, patient, and kind because they had been “reborn” through faith in Jesus.  It was the Spirit living in them that enabled them to live in the world but not like the world; faith in Christ is what made them different.

          I would say the same thing happened in my own life.  My mother could have preached to me until she was blue in the face.  But until I learned to be the type of person who was surrendered to God and allowed Him to work through me, she still had to watch over my shoulder; guiding and directing me to model godly characteristics in my life.  But a day came when what I saw lived in my mother and what I saw lived in my grandmother was passed on to me; I learned how to be a person surrendered to the influence of God because it was modeled for me by a Lois in my own life. 

          Godliness is more often caught than taught.  Chances are Timothy caught godliness from his mother and grandmother.  He saw two women who were conduits; ladies who were surrendered to God’s influence and who allowed His love, His joy, His peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness to live through them.  Isn’t it beautiful that the faith which filled first Lois and then Eunice now filled Timothy?  It was caught, not just taught.

          Mothers, you have a tremendous opportunity to model godliness to your children; actually, every woman in this place has a chance to be an influence in a child’s life.  Every woman can model godliness to the children in this place.  As the children of this church watch you (and they are watching you), you help create a child of faith when they see faith demonstrated in you.

          Mothers, I challenge you to not just teach godly principles but to also model a holy life.  I can tell you that there is one young man who didn’t believe it because he was told but believed because he saw it lived out day by day in a mother and in a grandmother.  And ladies, if there are no children in your life, please know that you still can influence the children in our church family; not just by teaching faith but by living the faith for all to see.

          And don’t forget to tell them how.  Tell the children how they can become loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and controlled.  Tell them that these godly characteristics they see in you can be theirs through faith in Christ Jesus.

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^[1]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (2 Ti 1:5-7). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

^[2]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (2 Ti 3:15). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.