25-0622p Transcript

Preacher: John Nousek

(0:53) Well, good evening. Thank you, Tom, for reading that. Thank you to God for giving it to us.

(1:00) So, the sermon is entitled, Yes, But. It always seems to be that, yeah, but, when you talk to (1:11) folks, especially when it comes to the word of God, many try to do that. So I read this and, (1:24) you know, what does it mean to stand firm? Why are we instructed to do that? And (1:37) how are we supposed to do that? What God tells us.

But I’ll tell you also that as I read this, (1:47) I’ve read this quite a few times, and it’s one of my favorite passages, (1:50) the imagery of the roaring lion. And that’s what the devil is to us, like a roaring lion (2:04) looking for someone to devour. I often thought of that and focused on that when I read this passage.

(2:16) But it wasn’t until this past week I realized how easily this can be done. I realized (2:24) that there’s more to it. God says, resist him standing firm in the faith because, okay, (2:38) because, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing (2:44) the same kind of sufferings.

Well, that’s other people. The first part was about me. I thought (2:58) the devil’s looking for someone to devour.

That’s me. Well, it’s also about the family (3:08) of believers. And he says, and the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ (3:20) after you have suffered a little while.

A little while? How long will I live? (3:32) Suffering, different things. How long is a little while? Let me tell you something. I looked up, (3:43) or attempted to look up, how often the Bible talks about standing firm.

And actually this morning, (3:52) Tom Sermon mentioned that. He started out right at the beginning. Among other things, (3:59) the Bible says, stand firm.

And here I am with this paperwork and all of my sermon notes. I’m (4:05) like, that’s what it’s about, huh? Okay. Well, I looked it up and there’s dozens of times that (4:14) the New Testament says, and the Old Testament has to say, stand firm, or to resist, or to endure, (4:21) or stay the course.

And I’d like to read a couple of quick ones with you. A number of them. There’s (4:29) quite a few.

I won’t read them all. We’d be here all night, but I’d like to read these and give you (4:35) a flavor for what God has to say about standing firm. Back in Exodus, Exodus 18, 23, it says, (4:46) if you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure.

And all these people (4:56) also will go to their place in peace. It’s almost like I just reread 1 Peter 5, where it says, (5:09) he’s speaking to the individual, but then he’s also referring to the family of believers (5:16) throughout the world. We’re undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

(5:23) Exodus 18, 23 ends with, and all these people also will go to their place in peace. It’s important (5:30) to stand firm for ourselves, God says also, or others. Be an example for others.

Imagine if we (5:43) were just an example for a short time, and then we fall away and we do whatever we want, falling (5:49) back into the ways of the world. What would potential converts say then? It wasn’t very (5:58) attractive, but look what he did. He just, a little bit, got involved, and trial came and he (6:06) bailed.

He quit. That’s really not what they say it is. Consider Joshua 23, 6. Joshua 23, 6, be (6:22) very firm then to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses so that you may (6:30) not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left.

Ephesians 6, 11, put on the full armor of (6:42) God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Now that sounds just (6:50) like the roaring lion. 1 Corinthians 16, 13, be on the alert.

Stand firm in the faith. Act like men. (7:07) Be strong.

2 Corinthians 1, 24, now, oh, not that we lord it over your faith, but our workers with (7:22) you for your joy, for in your faith you are standing firm. Hebrews 3, 6, but Christ was faithful (7:39) as a son over his house whose house we are if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our (7:49) hope firm until the end. You get the theme? Hang on.

Winds will blow, but hang on. Hebrews 3, 14, (8:10) for we have become partakers of Christ if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the (8:19) end. Hebrews 4, 14, therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the (8:30) heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

You know, there’s many more that (8:48) I haven’t read to you. I have a few written here. I’ll continue reading a few, but it’s clear God has (8:58) told us over and over and over.

You know, some passages, we might find one passage that says (9:03) or addresses something, but we have that one passage, and that’s what we are to go with. (9:11) But for reasons that seem to become more clear to me as I spend more time on this earth and encounter (9:21) more trouble of different types and different sources, I see it more and more how important it (9:29) is to stand firm in our faith because the devil might be wicked, but he’s also smart. (9:44) Second Thessalonians 2, 15, so then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you (9:54) were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

Philippians chapter 4, very first verse, (10:11) therefore, my beloved brethren, whom I long to see my joy and crown in this way, stand firm in (10:20) the Lord, my beloved. And one that’s probably more widely known because of the imagery (10:34) is the full armor of God found in Ephesians 6, 13, for instance. Therefore, take up the full armor (10:43) of God so that you will be able to resist the evil day, and having done everything, (10:50) to stand firm.

So we’re told over and over and over for reasons that God knows more than we know (11:02) that we are to resist the evil one or to stand firm in our faith, but yet, (11:17) how do we go about doing this? Why does God tell us so many times to stand firm? (11:31) We tell you it’s very dangerous to not pursue that. It is for others' encouragement that we (11:45) stand firm during periods of trial. They see what’s going on.

They see, oh, this instance here, (11:53) this person was experiencing terrible news, medical diagnosis that said they have six (12:00) months to live, and the doctor forgot to tell them, and it’s, when was the appointment? Five (12:05) and a half months ago. Well, that’s a problem. That’s a problem.

And yet, even in periods of (12:14) trial of all kinds, some people have a way of being okay, and others may look at that and say, (12:25) how is that possible? Are they not aware what’s going on? Do they not see that their end is (12:33) imminently there? Of course they do. But why are they not freaking out? We as a family of believers (12:47) can be an encouragement to others by not freaking out, because ultimately, the Lord knows all, (12:59) and He takes care of those that are His. But also during this lifetime, when we just go about our (13:08) day-to-day, ins and outs, get the groceries, get the gas in our car, call my aunt, talk to her, (13:19) see if everything’s okay, all these things that go on day in and day out.

Well, by standing firm (13:28) in the faith and sticking to what God’s Word says, even in periods of trial, it protects ourselves. (13:37) It keeps us out of trouble. It keeps us away from all kinds of things that the world will give us (13:42) as an inducement to do this or to do that, to turn left, to turn right, (13:48) get involved in things that we shouldn’t be involved in.

(13:52) God’s Word does that for us. That’s where the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion is, (14:03) to the left, to the right. But I’ve met people who will say things to me (14:12) like, yes, but, yes, but, you realize I’m tough.

I don’t need all that. (14:24) Really? Well, let me tell you something. I’ve had periods in my years (14:34) where I feel like, to some extent, I’m kind of tough.

I can handle it. I fell off a ladder, (14:45) bounced off the concrete, broke so many bones, I thought I was going to die. Took me to the (14:54) trauma center in Lakewood Hospital, and I remember the ambulance people coming back later that day (15:01) to see if I lived.

And that happened on a Saturday. And a week later, I was to start a new job. (15:19) And that Monday, I walked in and started a new job.

And that was a rough one. But I’m not tough (15:32) enough to face the devil. I know guys who would say I don’t need this stuff, but that’s not true.

(15:44) The devil’s very hungry. He would love to have you for lunch, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (15:53) And his desire is that we don’t stand firm, because we make ourselves out to be an easy (15:59) target.

Consider this. Even the wicked understand this concept of standing firm. (16:10) I found a quote from NBC News not too long ago.

Consider what one man had to say about standing (16:21) firm. In a speech in Moscow’s Red Square last May, Vladimir Putin vowed to stand firm against (16:36) attempts by Ukraine’s Western allies to contain him. That was to the 28th of May of 2025.

(16:48) This is a very relevant and very current and very ongoing issue. And it’s right here on our face. (16:59) Whether we like to see it, whether we can see it, whether we recognize it, it’s very real.

(17:08) I’m not saying that the Ukrainian Western allies, as he calls them, are followers of Jesus Christ. (17:16) But I am saying this. Even those in total spiritual darkness, and I believe that (17:25) speaker, Mr. Putin, just might be.

Those in that total darkness, those adversaries of everything (17:35) that is good and right can easily see and clearly understand what it means and how standing firm (17:47) can benefit the speaker, the person standing firm, the person who resists. (17:59) If we don’t stand firm in our faith, we will be devoured by the evil one. (18:09) That’s how it is.

That’s just how it is. The devil will come along like a roaring lion. (18:19) He won’t have to look long, as long as we become weak in our faith.

If we are, (18:27) he’ll chew us up like a cheap appetizer, spit us out like dirt. Now, that’s a pretty scary thought. (18:41) But I’ll ask you, how do we do this? What does that mean? Okay, it all sounds, you know, (18:49) let’s be protected.

What does that mean? Well, the Book of Proverbs offers this. (18:58) Proverbs 4, and I’ll read the first four verses from 20 to 23. (19:06) Proverbs 4, verses 20 to 23 says, (19:11) My son, give attention to my words, incline your ear to my sayings.

(19:19) Do you hear him saying, listen up? Verse 21, do not let them depart from your eyes, (19:27) keep them in the midst of your heart, for they are life to those who find them, (19:35) and help to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring (19:44) the issues of life. What does that mean? Gee, what do you want? Do you want life? (19:58) Do you want protection? Do you want God to protect us? (20:06) You want to go out on your own, do whatever you want, face what’s out there (20:11) in the darkness, paradise, or eternal separation from God.

Those are the choices. (20:29) So, continuing in Proverbs 4, verses 24 through 27, how do we do this? Put away from your deceitful (20:42) mouth and put perverse lips far from you. That’s a kind of poetic style of writing.

(20:54) Does it mean your lips leave your body? No. The perversity of your lips. Don’t speak (21:02) junk or vanity, trash about others.

I’m as guilty or as more guilty as any, and I try to (21:24) try to change that away. I do not do that and to follow these words. (21:32) And with the grace of God, with the assistance of the Lord, many more times than not, (21:42) I’m able to do that.

Praise God for that. I want to talk to somebody who’s got profanity and (21:54) nastiness coming out of their mouth all the time. Nobody wants to listen to that.

(21:59) God tells us, don’t do that. He says, let your eyes look straight ahead. This is verse 25.

(22:09) And your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways (22:18) be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left.

Remove your foot from evil. (22:31) Evil is everywhere, and we are to stay clear of it to a great extent, as much as possible. (22:42) We need to do our part.

We need to commit our hearts to doing what is good. So in 2 Timothy 2, (22:56) verses 11 through 19, God gives us this bit of instruction. 2 Timothy 2, verse 11, (23:09) chapter 2, 11 through 19.

I’ll read through 13 first. (23:16) This is a faithful saying. For if we died with him, we shall also live with him.

If we endure, (23:28) we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are faithless, (23:41) he remains faithful.

He cannot deny himself. God is unchanging. His word is unchanging.

His word (23:49) is solid, and we can rely on that. And I have friends who would say, I have people I know (23:59) who would say, yes, but I want to feel secure. I feel secure when I’m doing this and this and this, (24:15) these ungodly things.

Really? Yes, it feels good because I’m just having fun. (24:30) Or yes, I want to feel safe, and I’m going to do all these things around me to make that happen (24:40) because I get to do it. Or I just want this.

Oh, that’s true. Yes, yes, yes. You have this Bible, (24:53) you have this book, but I just want stuff.

Yeah, but you know, God’s word is absolutely, (25:04) absolute truth. And he tells us some of those worldly things, some of those things that seem (25:11) are harmless in the moment, or even we might convince ourselves, yes, but God will forgive me (25:17) if I, a little bit over here, it’s no big deal. He says, don’t do that.

And I’ll hear, yes, (25:30) but you don’t know my circumstances. That’s the one that really kind of lingers with me because (25:39) truth is, I don’t. I meet strangers all the time, people in the store, people just around, (25:48) people I work with that I don’t really know because it’s a job, and I have things to do, (25:53) and I’m busy doing those things, and they’re doing their things, and we just happen to work (25:57) at the same company, and that’s it.

I don’t really know them that well. And they might say, yes, (26:04) but you don’t know. I walk out of here, I have to go home to blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

(26:11) Yeah, I know. Everyone’s circumstances are different, but I’m here to tell you (26:22) that God’s Word is perfect, and as a result, you can rely on this, (26:29) and you can be certain that when God tells us, He means it. And so my response is, (26:42) yes, but God’s Word is sound.

God’s Word is absolute, and we have evidence for it. We have (26:51) manuscript evidence. We have archaeological evidence.

We have prophetic evidence. We have (26:58) scientific foreknowledge evidence. We have evidence that this book is God’s Word and His absolute (27:06) Word more than any other text in history.

That’s just what it is. And yet people say, yes, but. (27:21) Stop.

You know, it says in verse 10, back to the very opening reading again, Tom, (27:35) thank you for reading this, 1 Peter chapter 5. I’m going to reread verse 10. (27:43) The God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ after you have suffered a little (27:50) while will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. We are to do everything we can (28:04) to remain steadfast by following God’s Word.

But He makes clear we will suffer for a little while. (28:13) Oh, back to that question. But you don’t know my circumstances.

This has been going on for years. (28:23) That might be true. It might have been going on for many years.

Yet God says in James 1.12, (28:36) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptations. Afterward, (28:44) they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. (28:51) And in 1 Peter 5.10, and the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ (29:01) after you have suffered, how long? A little while.

After you have suffered a little while (29:10) will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. That’s good news. (29:23) But for a little while, we will suffer.

And it’s up to us to stand firm and hold fast. (29:33) You know, I like to say to people, eternity is a long time. A little while is a little while.

(29:42) It’s not eternity. I feel that way at the time, in the moment, even if the little while lasts a (29:52) while in our own perception. But let’s be honest.

Eternity is eternity. (30:00) We make decisions day by day by day that will affect that eternal destiny. (30:08) God has instructed us not to turn aside from it by going to the right hand or to the left.

(30:16) To stay the course, stay faithful, stay firmly planted in God’s Word, (30:22) do all these things right up to the end, and we will be rewarded for standing firm (30:33) for both our own benefit and the benefit of those around us. Thank you for hearing that. (30:43) May God be glorified.

Amen. If there’s anything that’s needed, (30:49) you want me to say anything at all, just step forward.