23-1029p Transcript

Preacher: Mike Mathis

(0:03) Good evening, everyone. (0:06) I don’t know, it seems like tonight my voice is going to sound a little hoarse. (0:15) I’m feeling a little congestion in my throat.

(0:22) But you bear with me as I go along. (0:26) I may have to pause and take a drink of water. (0:31) But anyway, I’m continuing the lesson I started this morning.

(0:41) We primarily spent our time discussing Joshua. (0:48) Joshua was taken over by Moses in leadership of the Israelites. (1:01) Moses died, and in Joshua 1, God tells Joshua that he is to lead the people.

(1:19) But He told Joshua to be strong, to be courageous, very courageous. (1:27) He gives Joshua a commission, that is, to arise and go over this Jordan (1:41) to the land which I am giving to the children of Israel. (1:47) And He promised him, no man shall stand before you.

(1:57) But now, Joshua isn’t the only one that God has told to be strong, to be courageous, to be very courageous. (2:18) There are other Bible characters throughout the Bible, the Old Testament, that He has said that to. (2:29) Now tonight, we’re going to switch a little bit.

(2:36) We’re going to make application to ourselves. (2:43) I’m going to read Ephesians 6, 10-20. (2:54) Ephesians 6, 10-20.

(3:01) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (3:09) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (3:20) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, (3:26) against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, (3:33) against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.

(3:40) Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil days, (3:52) and having done all, to stand. (3:56) Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, (4:02) having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (4:07) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. (4:15) Above all, taking the shield of faith, (4:20) with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, (4:29) and take the helmet of salvation, (4:32) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

(4:40) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, (4:49) being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, (4:57) and for me, that utterance may be given to me, (5:01) that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, (5:09) for which I am an ambassador in chains, (5:14) that in it I may speak boldly as I ought to speak. (5:23) It starts, then, this passage of scripture that I read, (5:30) in saying, Be strong in the Lord. (5:36) Because, you know, just as God has pointed out, (5:43) we’ve got things that threaten us, (5:49) that will oppose us as we believe in God (5:54) and strive to do what God has told us.

(6:04) But then it takes courage. (6:07) It takes strength to stand up and oppose these things. (6:15) Now, as God has pointed out, (6:20) these things that are pointed out, (6:24) these aren’t battles between flesh and blood.

(6:30) That way we can pick out our opponents. (6:37) We can make sure that we can overcome. (6:42) The things that we are fighting are powerful.

(6:54) They’re principalities, powers, (6:58) the rulers of the darkness of this age. (7:03) Against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (7:09) So these are what we have to fight.

(7:13) But in all this battle, we cannot fight alone. (7:22) The way we can get this battle fought (7:25) and the way we can be victorious (7:31) is what Paul told these Ephesian brethren. (7:41) Put on the whole armor of God.

(7:47) You know, he is taking a figure from the army, (7:57) the soldiers that went out to battle. (8:00) They went out in armor (8:05) and they faced their enemies and fought against them. (8:13) And they had this armor on.

(8:18) The lesson of it is that that armor is such (8:24) that you’ve got to face, if you’re going out to do battle, (8:30) you need to face your enemies. (8:34) There is no protection in the back. (8:37) If you turn around and try to go, (8:41) you’re going to really get whipped.

(8:46) And so we need to put on the whole armor of God. (8:51) And I’m not going to spend too much detail, (8:55) but he takes each part of the armor that they use (9:02) and he says, (9:05) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, (9:09) that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, (9:14) having done all to stand. (9:17) Stand, therefore, having girded your ways with truth.

(9:24) That is what Joshua was told. (9:29) We’re going to get into that. (9:33) To observe the law, (9:38) to take heed into that law, (9:40) to know it and such.

(9:45) And so we’re to take then the (9:51) and put on our ways truth, (9:59) having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (10:05) due rights, (10:08) having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, (10:16) and above all, (10:18) taking the shield. (10:21) Now they used the shield (10:24) that would ward off the darts, (10:27) and sometimes those darts may have been fiery darts (10:33) that were thrown at them. (10:38) And here we take the shield of faith (10:43) with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (10:50) and take the helmet of salvation.

(10:59) The helmet on the head protects the head. (11:05) And then the sword of the spirit, (11:09) which is the word of God. (11:13) Again, it has reference to the word, the truth.

(11:21) And then praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit (11:26) and being watchful. (11:29) We just cannot let our guard down. (11:34) And so, (11:37) but all this as we say, (11:39) indeed, we need to be strong.

(11:45) We need to be strong and have good courage. (11:52) Joshua was told in Joshua 1 and verse 7 (11:57) to observe the law of the law. (12:03) That is to be obedient.

(12:06) Know what that law says (12:11) and not only have a knowledge of what that law says, (12:17) but apply it to yourself. (12:21) Obey it. (12:23) For it says that this law shall not depart from your mouth.

(12:35) Now this morning in one of the readings, (12:41) it was Matthew 28, verses 18 to 20, (12:48) where the great commission is issued (12:53) where Jesus tells his disciples that he has been given all authority (13:02) and they are to make disciples of all nations, (13:12) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit, (13:18) excuse me, (13:19) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (13:26) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. (13:35) And, Lord, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (13:42) In Mark 16, 15 and 16, (13:47) this commission, this is how Mark mentions it in this passage.

(13:56) He says, (13:57) Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (14:06) He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. (14:10) He that believes not shall be condemned.

(14:13) It is the gospel that is to be preached. (14:22) And it is to be preached, (14:25) and those who hear it must believe and be baptized. (14:33) For he said, (14:34) He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.

(14:38) And that gospel that is to be preached (14:42) is that Jesus came and died upon the cross for our sins, (14:50) that he was buried, (14:52) and on the third day he arose, (14:55) which gives us hope that there is life beyond this. (15:04) You know, based on Jesus coming forth from the grave, (15:12) believing that, (15:15) we ought ye to believe that one day, (15:20) that we, after we depart this land, this earth, (15:30) that we too will come forth from the grave. (15:39) And in Galatians 1, verses 6 through 9, (15:50) Paul tells these Galatians, (15:52) I marvel that ye are turning away so soon from him (15:58) who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, (16:03) which is not another.

(16:06) But there are some who trouble you (16:08) and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (16:13) There are plenty of perverting the gospel today. (16:19) But then, here’s what Paul said in verse 8, (16:26) But even if we or an angel from heaven (16:33) preach any other gospel to you (16:35) than what we have preached to you, (16:39) let him be accursed.

(16:43) Now Paul is saying that (16:47) what they have received from God, (16:53) that is the gospel that they preach. (16:59) But if they deliver something else (17:03) and preach something else, (17:06) that person, he said, let him be accursed. (17:10) Even an angel.

(17:13) Some people will claim that they saw an angel (17:17) and such and that. (17:20) But really, if an angel did appear (17:24) and teach something that was not according to what has been taught (17:32) and we can learn from them that is here, (17:37) says let him be accursed. (17:40) As we have said before.

(17:42) So now I say again, (17:45) if anyone preaches any other gospel to you (17:50) than what you have received, (17:54) let him be accursed. (17:59) Joshua was told to meditate on the law. (18:09) Timothy is told in 1 Timothy 4, 12-16, (18:21) some things that Paul has told him.

(18:26) And he tells him then in verse 12, (18:37) Let no one despise your youth, (18:41) but be an example to the believers (18:44) in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (18:51) Till I come, give attention to reading the word. (19:04) Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

(19:09) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, (19:13) which was given to you by prophecy (19:16) with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. (19:21) Meditate. (19:22) That means ponder these things.

(19:25) Think on these things. (19:31) Chew on these. (19:33) Digest them.

(19:35) But meditate on them. (19:37) You know, Joshua was told to meditate (19:41) on the law day and night. (19:48) And so, Timothy is told to meditate on these things.

(19:53) Give yourself entirely to them, (19:56) that your progress may be evident to all. (20:00) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. (20:04) Continue in them, for in doing this (20:08) you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

(20:14) See, that’s what’s made important. (20:19) And I forgot to do the scripture reading, (20:22) but I’ll be reading it in just a minute. (20:27) God promised Joshua, (20:32) I will be with you.

(20:35) I will not forsake you. (20:37) As long as Joshua has the law in his mind (20:45) and he gives it to those that he is leading, (20:53) God said, I am with you. (20:56) In Matthew 28, 20, (20:59) after issuing this commission to his disciples, (21:06) he said, I am with you always, (21:10) even to the end of the age.

(21:13) Jesus said, I am with you. (21:18) Now Hebrews 13, which was the scripture reading, (21:25) I’ll read it now. (21:30) It will be verses 5 and 6. (21:35) It says, let your conduct be without covetousness.

(21:40) Be content with such things as you have. (21:44) For he himself has said, (21:47) I will never leave you nor forsake you. (21:53) So we may boldly say, (21:57) the Lord is my helper.

(22:00) I will not fear. (22:02) What can man do to me? (22:08) And so these people in the first century (22:18) were persecuted mightily. (22:23) And so was people under the Old Testament.

(22:30) There were people that obeyed God’s commands (22:35) and were greatly persecuted. (22:39) But these people held on to that faith. (22:43) And in Hebrews, the 11th chapter, (22:51) we have a list of those that we call heathens, (23:00) those that have faith and obey God.

(23:06) And we, in Hebrews 5, (23:16) we have this reading concerning Jesus (23:20) and even concerning those who obey him. (23:28) It says, who in the days of his flesh, (23:35) when he had offered up prayers and supplications (23:38) with vehement cries and fears to him (23:42) who was able to save him from death, (23:46) was hurt because of his godly spirit. (23:50) Though he was a son, (23:54) yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

(24:00) And having been perfected, (24:03) he became the author of eternal salvation (24:07) to all who obey him. (24:12) Well, that’s what God is calling forth (24:16) from Joshua and the people, obedience. (24:24) And we are to obey the Son.

(24:33) He says, and having been perfected, (24:36) he became the author of eternal salvation (24:40) to all who obey him. (24:45) Now, I’m just going to give a conclusion, (24:50) and this is going to be taken from 2 Timothy. (24:55) The only thing I’m going to do with this is to read it.

(25:00) I’m not going to comment on it. (25:03) It’s 2 Timothy, chapter 2, (25:11) and beginning with verse 2 through 7. (25:15) 2 Timothy. (25:18) Beginning with verse 2. (25:21) And the things that you have heard from me (25:24) among many witnesses, (25:26) commit these to faithful men (25:29) who will be able to teach others also.

(25:34) Therefore, you must endure hardship (25:37) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (25:40) No one engaged in warfare (25:43) entangles himself with the affairs of this life, (25:48) that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier, (25:56) and also if anyone competes in athletics, (26:02) he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (26:07) The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

(26:17) Consider what I say, (26:19) and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. (26:24) Yes, it’s going to be so. (26:29) And I should have read verse 1. (26:33) You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace (26:39) that is in Christ Jesus.

(26:44) Be strong. (26:46) This is what we need to do. (26:48) We need to be strong.

(26:50) Because we are in a spiritual warfare. (26:57) And if there is anyone that needs to obey, (27:04) needs to put on Christ, (27:07) now is the time to do so. (27:10) And if someone needs to be restored, (27:14) you may do so now.

(27:17) Or if there is any other thing that you have on your mind, (27:23) let it be known and the church will pray for you. (27:28) Come and be strong. (27:31) Be courageous.

(27:34) Let God help you with, (27:39) and that he may be with you as you strive. (27:45) To obey him. (27:49) Why not do so while we stand and sing?