Let’s Lose Some Weight – 6

Let’s Lose Some Weight – 6

Subject – A Church with a Biblical Worldview is Blessed

by Rick Welborne

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)                                                                                                                                                                                                                ¹  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
²  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
³  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 

--Today we want to talk about what it means (in light of missions) for a church to have a biblical worldview and how that church will be blessed because of that philosophy or belief.

Pastor Dan Betzer - What is a Biblical Worldview? It means perceiving the world and all the people in it the same way God perceives them. Note carefully the words, “In the same way God perceives them.” That perception is often at odds with human concepts. The church leadership will have to decide whose perceptions to follow, those of people or of God. 

--According to recent polls very few gospel-preaching churches have such a view. The Barna Research Group reports that many of our moral and spiritual challenges are because of the absence of a biblical worldview. 

--A recent survey of two thousand professing followers of Christ showed that only a few of them had such a biblical worldview. Only about 4% of unchurched people had any idea of such a concept.

--Here is the shocker, only about 9% of professing believers had any comprehension of it. About 7% of those attending mainline protestant churches and 2% of Catholics.  

--The only “redeeming factor” is those Spirit-filled and anointed churches who believe passionately about missions. These churches bring the 9 percent figure into some kind of reality.

--Every gospel-believing pastor, leader, and church attender needs to reexamine his or her life and ministry philosophy carefully, prayerfully, and scripturally. Are we deceived into complacency? 

--Remember the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day believed they had a correct perception about God, but Jesus said they were deceived because they didn’t know the Scriptures. Could that be us?

--The Great Commission Jesus gave us has been watered down so much from a worldview to a local view. After He was resurrected from the dead what did Jesus tell His followers? Tell us?

Acts 1:8 (KJV)                                                                                                                                                          ⁸ But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Mark 16:15 (NKJV) ¹⁵ And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV) ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

--Pastor, how many times are you going to read those verses? Wrong question. How many times do I have to read these verses before some catch the vision of the Great Commission?

--Without the benefit of the internet, social media, the printed page, and other aids we have today, Christ followers struck out to accomplish His worldview at the expense of their own lives. Only one not martyred. 

--What was it that caused Jesus and the disciples to be able to turn their world upside down? Yes, by this all men will know, that you love one another. Sacrificial love of laying down their lives. 

--Their worldview was the same as that of God the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ. The cost was not too high for them to pay to win this lost world. 

John 3:14-16 (NKJV)
¹⁴  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
¹⁵  that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
¹⁶  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Betzer – The cost of the lack of a worldview in a local church is staggering. For one thing, it clogs the supernatural flow of God’s provision to the congregation. They only see the local situation. Their eyes are blindfolded so they can’t see the world as God sees it. As a result, the work for the Lord becomes perfunctory. The drive is gone. The passion is missing. The concept of reaching multitudes of lost and hurting people is fleeting, if it exists at all. 

--Leonard Ravenhill said our job is to preach the eternities. He said most of what churches deal with today in his words, “didn’t amount to a hill of beans.” Betzer’s biblical worldview:

1. Churches with a biblical worldview rarely have to deal with issues that don’t matter.

--A church with a godly worldview could care less about the color of the carpet, what clothes people are wearing, if the choir is robbed or not, or even if the church has a choir.

Leonard Ravenhill – Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?”

--Jesus had such a passion for the lost of the world that He was willing to be crucified for them. What are we willing to do?

2. Churches with a biblical worldview rejoices in giving. 

--Yes, we receive lots of offerings for missions and, yes, we emphasize Faith Promises over and over but people who have Jesus’ worldview don’t mind. They truly appreciate the privilege of giving. 

--Recently someone made a big issue of how much I talk about missions and how I was neglecting our local church. Funny, this person struggled financially. He did not tithe or give to missions. So sad.

3. Churches with a biblical worldview draw people with a passion for the lost.

--I have actually had people tell me the reason they came to our church is because of how we promote missions and we give them the opportunity to invest in good soil.

--A few years ago my oldest son was going to a church in N.C. and the pastor said from the pulpit that their church could not afford to support missions. Jeremy about blew a fuse. He met with the pastor. Left the church.

--There are people in this world who hear different music. They won’t be a part of a church that doesn’t have a biblical worldview. They are not concerned about churchy issues. Let’s make a difference in the world. Jesus:

Mark 6:34 (NKJV)
³⁴  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

--What moves us? Are we only concerned for number one? Do we care about a lost world?

4. Churches with a biblical worldview have a purpose and have stability.

--Does that mean we never have issues? Of course not! It means we are so strongly united with this godly worldview to get bogged down with issues that have no eternal value. 

--Thank God I was saved in a church where missions were a priority. After learning to tithe, I remember making my first Faith Promise ($5) a month! I promised God way back then…every time I get a raise, You get a raise.

--For the last 33 years here at Life Church I have not hidden my purpose for being here. You all have heard my story over and over again…On a mission’s trip begging God to let me be a missionary.

--God spoke to me and said you will eventually become a lead pastor (scary) and your calling (purpose) will be to make that church a great mission’s church. The first thing I planned as a new pastor was a Mission’s Conv.

--At the beginning we had financial challenges but we kept missions at the forefront of everything…He told me, “If I can get it through you, I will get it to you!” In 31 years, because of our worldview, we have never lacked.

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NLT2)
⁷  Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT2)
⁶  Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
⁷  You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
⁸  And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

--This has been our reason for being…reach the world, share with others. Because of that we have always had everything we needed and plenty left over to share with others. God is faithful.

--Testimony – Anyone remember the crash of 2008. It was financial chaos everywhere. Businesses closed, churches closed, pastors had to find other jobs but not here at Life Church.

--Yes, overnight our income dropped 30-40%. Wow, Pastor Rick, how did that affect our operations here and our missions? It didn’t affect them at all. How is that even possible? Anyone remember Joseph?

--God led him to store up for seven years enough food to last for seven years…He basically saved the then known world. Before the crash we were giving away more and more money. Our GF kept growing.

--When the 2008 crash hit we had approximately $850,000 in the GF with no debt. Let me just say in southern “We never missed a lick!” No one was laid off and our missionaries were supported. Even bought property.

--Because we have a godly worldview, our church has experienced great stability and purpose. Individuals who have had a godly worldview have experienced the same. Please join us, fill out your Faith Promise card today.

--I don’t want to fill out a FP card. Okay, how can we know how to bless our missionaries? Jesus is watching:

Mark 12:41-44 (NLT2)
⁴¹  Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts.
⁴²  Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.
⁴³  Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.
⁴⁴  For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” 

Annual Business Meeting – 2022

 Annual Business Meeting – 2022

Subject – How to Overcome Poverty

by Rick Welborne

Luke 6:38 (NCV)
³⁸  Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.

--Tonight I want to explain to you why we are so blessed and how you can be blessed. Maybe you are not aware of this but one of our Distinctives as a church is Generous Giving. Our Distinctives are:

1. Our First Distinctive: We should be passionate about the lost.

2. Our Second Distinctive: Home and world missions.

3. Our Third Distinctive: Being filled with Holy Spirit.

4. Our Fourth Distinctive: Generous giving.

5. Our Fifth Distinctive: Worship.

--Just a little history of Life Church to show the blessings of God. Condensed version of course. When I became pastor the first thing I planned was a Mission’s Convention. You know that.

--The church was in debt for our old facility and new property on the south side of Leesburg. God spoke to me to stay where we are and the Board appeased the new kid. Can we get more land here? I don’t know.

--Miracles started happening. In my first Board Meeting after I told the Board we should stay, Brother Kimes said let’s pray for more land here. The phone rings and boom…two acres for sale cheap. We bought it.

--We were able to sell the property we had accumulated on the other end of town and boom, we paid off the remaining debt to this facility. We kept making Missions and giving a priority. Nine acres became 26.

--We faced our first test. $3000 short. Instead of cutting back we borrowed the money from youth and paid our missionaries. God saw we were serious and for the last thirty years we have not struggled.

--We took the Great Commission seriously and started adding more and more missionaries.

Romans 10:13-15 (NKJV)
¹³  For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
¹⁴  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
¹⁵  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" 

--15 missionaries became 50…became 100…became 150…and now 200 plus. We built this beautiful sanctuary 2.2 million dollars. If you have to make a choice between the building or missions, choose missions.

--We were able to pay this building off in three years as we continued adding more missionaries and giving more money. Two Sundays in a row guest put $100,000 in the offering for the building…say what.

--The more we gave, the more the Lord blessed. Our GF kept growing and growing and I kept discussing with God my concern. The crash of 2008 hit and was devastating for many ministries. But not us.

--We had built up $850,000 in the GF. Just like Joseph in the Old Testament God sustained us through the tough times. No one was cut and our missions kept growing. To God be the glory. Kept adding more missionaries.

--Then came Covid. I hate Covid. 2020 and 2021 again churches were devastated but not Life Church. Why? Because we were generous with God, with missions, and helping the poor.

--Our income did not go down but went up both years. We added more missionaries. Last year our missions went up six percent over all…during Covid! Our GF was the highest in years.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NIV)
¹⁰  Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
¹¹  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Quote – If God can get it through you, He will get it to you!

--Here we go, if it works for the church, it will work for you! It’s God’s promise. It’s His Word and He cannot lie.

Malachi 3:8-12 (NIV)
⁸  "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.
⁹  You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me.
¹⁰  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
¹¹  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
¹²  "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. 

--If you are a Covenant member of Life Church you know it is God’s heart and our heart to be generous in our tithes and offerings so make out your Faith Promise Card and get blessed!

--Our giving, our generosity should be always for the Glory of God!

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
³¹  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Let’s Lose Some Weight – 5

                                                             Let’s Lose Some Weight – 5

Subject – Beautiful Feet

By Rick Welborne

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)                                                                                                                                                                                                                ¹  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
²  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
³  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 

--At the time of writing this sermon we have not yet heard from Greg Mundis or Zach Rix but I am sure what they shared with us was motivating enough to stir us to action.

--After doing Mission’s Conventions for over 30 years, what does one say that hasn’t already been said? How do you convince people to understand the Great Commission? To be sacrificial? Simply, to care about the lost.

--The Word of God is pretty clear…Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

--The verses from Matthew and Mark are pretty clear about us going into the world, our world, our sphere of influence and sharing Christ. We know it in our heads but do we get it in our hearts.

--Even though Jesus was so clear here about going and preaching the gospel to everyone everywhere something seems to be left off especially in the light of missions. Sending missionaries out to preach. Paul:

Romans 10:1 (NKJV) ¹  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 

Romans 10:13-18 (NKJV)
¹³  For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
¹⁴  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
¹⁵  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
¹⁶  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"
¹⁷  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
¹⁸  But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world." 

--Several things strike me as I read Paul’s remarks (which is the Word of God.)

V.1 His heart’s desire and prayer was for Israel to be saved. Is that our desire and do we pray?

V.13 He understood the only way people could be saved was to call on the Name of the Lord. Do we understand?

V.14 He understood the issue with the lost was that they had not heard about Jesus. Do we understand?

V. 15 He understood someone (missionaries) had to be sent to these people. Do we understand that is what our Mission’s Convention is all about? Sending out missionaries. 

V.18 He understood that the message of the Gospel should go to the ends of the earth. Do we really understand?

1. A Simple Test.

A. Do we believe the Great Commission is biblical and is to be obeyed?

B. Do we support the Mission of Life Church to send out missionaries to the ends of the earth? 

C. Do we support our missionaries by praying for them (adopting them) and being here when they minister to us? Pastor Rick, they are boring. Maybe you would be boring if you had to spend 4 years on the field.

--Then you have to travel from church to church hoping and praying people will support your call to go where Jesus called them. Have you ever thought they may need your support and encouragement? They are tired.

D. Do you have a greater desire to be entertained in church than to hear the heart of someone called to a distant land or to lost here in America? We may need to stop thinking church is all about us.

E. Do we actually give to our General Missions of Life Church above our tithes? Do we understand the idea of being sacrificial like the Macedonian believers?

2 Corinthians 8:3-5 (NLT2)
³  For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
⁴  They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
⁵  They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

 F. Does our mission’s giving resemble more a token than a sacrifice? Example…Is our cable bill (Direct TV, Dish, etc.) more than what we give to missions? Our entertainment more important than souls?

--What are some practical ways you can increase your mission’s giving? Here is a novel idea…ask God what He would have you to do above your tithe and then, listen to what He says. Do it!

--Another practical idea is similar to the Macedonians…they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 

--What could that look like? Let’s say in 2021 you gave the Lord $50/$75/$100/ $200 a month to missions and it appears God has blessed you, then double your giving and watch God bless you.

--God spoke to me twenty years to increase my mission’s giving by $25 dollars a month every year and He has not told me anything different. Also, our guest missionaries get a certain amount every time from the Welbornes

--Sometimes He lays on my heart to give more but never less. Funny how that works. It is a test of our faith but I could spend the rest of the day talking about how God has blessed us.

--We have decided to lay up treasures in Heaven instead of here on earth. Remember the series…The Joy of Discovering Hidden Treasure?

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
¹⁹  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
²⁰  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
²¹  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

--Where’s your treasure, Life Church? Another house? Another car? Another boat? Where’s your heart?

2. Pastor Dan Betzer and Doctor Oswald J. Smith

--I believe all of us (especially pastors) have heroes of the faith who have inspired us to do greater things and go farther than we ever thought we could. I love Dan Betzer’s mission story. Reader’s Digest version.

--Pastor Betzer was pastoring a struggling church in Sandusky, Ohio in the 60s. He asked God why were they struggling? God told him they were not in the same business. He said, “Say, What?” Great Commission?

--God spoke to him to do three things that would change his ministry and life forever. 1. Have a Mission’s Convention yearly. 2. Invite Dr. Oswald J. Smith 3. Faith promise Goal of $20,000

--Okay with a Mission’s Convention even though I have no clue. Okay with inviting Dr. Smith because he probably will not come. Faith promise for $20,000 when our annual budget is $16,000…impossible.

--After much arguing and complaining Betzer said okay. Starting planning the convention, set the goal that freaked out his Board Members. Wrote a letter to Smith and he said yes! What?

--Billy Graham said of Dr. Smith, “As a missionary statesman. There was no equal.” Over 80years of ministry he preached over 12,000 sermons in 80 nations. Wrote 35 books and 1200 wonderful hymns. 

--He made 21 world tours traveling to tell multitudes about Jesus and for several decades pastored the historic People’s Church in Toronto, Canada. This man of God was coming to a church of 90 in Sandusky.

--Obviously word got out that this awesome man of God was coming to their tiny church and the anticipation and excitement was high…through the roof. Pastor Betzer picks him up at the airport. 

--Pastor Betzer knew this was going to be a church service like non-other and that it was going to be a spiritual pep rally that would lift everyone into the very throne room of God.

--After singing some beautiful mission’s songs, Betzer introduced Dr. Smith to the excited congregation and he approached the pulpit and then, just stood there without saying a word for a few minutes. He drops the bomb:

Dr. Smith – What did you want from me? How many times have you heard the gospel? How many church services have you attended? Were you expecting something new from me? What right do you have to hear the gospel over and over when so many have never heard it for the first time? What makes you so special?

--Pastor Betzer and his little church were shocked. He thought it would end his ministry there. But to make a long story short, God helped reach their Faith promise goal and they never looked back.

--Pastor Betzer, who just in the last couple of years has retired went on to become a premier mission’s pastor in Ft. Myers, Florida and has literally impacted missions all over the world. Raising countless millions. 

--I hope what changed him would change us…listen again.

 Dr. Smith – What did you want from me? How many times have you heard the gospel? How many church services have you attended? Were you expecting something new from me? What right do you have to hear the gospel over and over when so many have never heard it for the first time? What makes you so special?

Romans 10:13-15 (NKJV)
¹³  For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
¹⁴  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
¹⁵  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 5

                                                         Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 5

Subject – A Belt of Truth

By Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
¹¹  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
¹²  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
¹³  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

--Please understand that whenever the Word speaks of the belt of truth or about truth in general, it is talking about Jesus Christ…listen to the Old Testament:

Isaiah 11:1-5 (NIV)
¹  A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
²  The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--
³  and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;
⁴  but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
⁵  Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness (or truth) the sash around his waist. 

John 14:6 (NLT)
⁶  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

1. We must begin with the premise that Jesus and Holy Spirit are our foundation for the belt of truth.

--I love what Isaiah prophesizes about Jesus… the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 

--The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Him which is the Holy Spirit of God. The Spirit of truth.

John 15:26 (NKJV)
²⁶  "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

--He is armed with the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. No wonder Jesus could say I am the way, the truth, and the life.

--The belt had two purposes -- to hold their weapons and to show others what rank they carry in the Roman Army. And this is exactly what truth does! Truth says that when attacks come, the truth will set us free. 

John 8:31-32 (NKJV)
³¹  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³²  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
 

--Truth says that when everything else is lost, the truth of what Jesus did on the cross and therefore what awaits us when we die is nothing scary or negative, but a beautiful eternity with our Savior. 

John 16:13 (NKJV)
¹³  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

--Truth also tells the world our rank in the Army of God -- we are all sons and daughters of God! 

John 1:12-14 (NKJV)
¹²  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
¹³  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
¹⁴  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 

2. The belt of truth is what holds everything together.

--The belt of truth in the Roman armor would hold his tunic tight so he might be free with his movements. 

--Many feel that they are free when they get away from God and far from the church but nothing could be more messed up than that…what they eventually find is the opposite of truth (bondage) and deception. David/Nathan:

Psalm 51:4-6 (NKJV)
⁴  Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.
⁵  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
⁶  Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

--The belt of truth also provided a place for the soldier to hang his sword…the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God…if you will walk in truth, you will walk in the Word of God.

--Example of a lady who came to me telling me that even though the Word of God said she was walking in sin, she told me God had spoken something different to her…I told her she was not walking in truth.

Matthew 12:36-37 (NKJV)
³⁶  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 

³⁷  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

--The imagery here is that truth holds together all other virtues, making them effective. Putting on God’s truth means living out his Word, being honest and sincere in our faith. It refers to Christian character and integrity.

--The belt of truth is the first of the defensive weapons listed. The mention of this defensive weapon, I believe reveals two ways that Satan may try to attack us.

--First, I think that Satan may try to attack us with false beliefs or untruth. This makes sense as an attack because if we’re on the offensive and we’re building God’s Kingdom then Satan loses. 

--But anything that is not for God is against God. So if Satan can get people to fight really hard for what they think is God’s Kingdom or what they perceive as truth but really is not, then he wins. 

--You could use Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons as examples. 

--The belt of truth can help us hold things together when we are confronted with erroneous teachings or untruths. To the Roman soldier the belt was to keep his robe tied out of the way during battle.

--Paul says we are to run the race…when the soldier needed to run the bottom of the robe was brought up and tucked into the belt to keep him from tripping.

--Most important was the armor hooked to the belt…without the belt the rest of the armor would fall off. Again, it represents Jesus and without Him we would fall.

Jude 1:24-25 (NIV)
²⁴  To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--
²⁵  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 

3. The belt is really used for one purpose and that is to keep your pants up. 

--And I would propose that’s what the truth does in spiritual warfare. When you don’t wear a belt, your pants may fall down and you’re “exposed” to the world in what is a pretty embarrassing situation. 

--And the fact is, that if you allow anything less than truth to reign in your spiritual warfare, you will eventually be exposed and at great cost to God’s kingdom, embarrassed and ashamed. 

--However, if you always have the truth by your side, no matter how much Satan wants to embarrass you, he can’t, because you have truth protecting you.

--Paul, as he sat in jail, saw the belt around the soldier’s waist. The soldier’s sword hung from the belt, providing him quick access to his weapon. Even in the dark, he knew just where to reach for his weapon. 

--Paul tells us, Fasten the belt of truth around your waist. Other people may guess and grope, but Christians live confidently, because we know the truth…Jesus is the truth (the foundation) on whom we stand.

Psalm 86:11 (NLT)
¹¹  Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. 

Psalm 145:18 (NLT) ¹⁸ The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. 

--Remember the woman at the well who had an encounter with Jesus…what did she who had five husbands and the man she was with was not her husband need? She needed the truth.

--Now days it would be said that all she needed was grace but she would have never found her way to the grace of God until she was confronted with the truth of where she was and Who Jesus was.

--Once she was confronted and admitted her need for Jesus, her life was changed…matter of fact, the truth she received changed her whole town. God, do it again.

John 4:23-24 (NCV) ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.“

John 8:32 (NCV) ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.“ 

Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 4

                                                         Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 4

Subject – A Life of Intentionality 

By Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
¹⁰  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
¹¹  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
¹²  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
¹³  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

--It is so interesting to me that verse 10 starts with the word “Finally”. Obviously, something important was said before this…he tells them that they must submit to their authorities.

Ephesians 6:1-9 (NIV)
¹  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
²  "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--
³  "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
⁴  Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
⁵  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
⁶  Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
⁷  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
⁸  because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
⁹  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. 

--Children obey and honor your parents…Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up with discipline and instruction from the Lord.

--Slaves or employees, obey your masters or bosses with deep respect and fear (honor). Serve as though you are serving Christ. Masters or employers treat your people respectfully and with honor.

It is so interesting to me that God tells us that before we get ready for battle or before we put on the whole armor of God that we are to submit to our God given authorities and treat each other respectfully.

--It does make sense in the context of being in a war or preparation for battle that you submit to those over you and submit to one another…in the military (soldiers) that is how the victory is won. Rambo is not real!

Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) ²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

--Something to meditate on…if we do not submit to one another in the fear of the Lord do we forfeit our right to the armor of God and hence, become vulnerable to the enemy?

--An interesting note: Paul starts with parents and children (home…then servants and masters (work)…and then our text (spiritual warfare – our walk with God – church).

Ephesians 6:10 (NIV) ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

--We are exhorted (actually commanded) to put on God’s armor (it is our responsibility). Good news is this, we put on the armor but our strength and power comes from the Lord.

--It is something that has to be done intentionally…God will absolutely do His part but we must cooperate with Him and do ours…put on the whole armor of God…You put it on! It is a command!

--In my reading I came across something very interesting when it comes to our choices and how we live. Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro…a God send for me.

Cordeiro – There are four basic courses by which we can live. These may not be planned but they will be followed regardless. Every life follows a set of rules, a default of ideals that have been caught more than taught.

--He says that we will have to intentionally choose one of these courses for our lives because this choice will alter our future once and for all.

--Attempting to opt out will only default you to one of the first three. What do we want our future to be especially in light of this battle we are in?

1. In this spiritual warfare we can choose to live a life of reaction.

--With this paradigm we plod forward until something forces us to change…the loss of a job forces us to find another…the perceived acceptance or rejection of another will dictate our circle of friendships.

--Many times we only change when we are faced with the consequences of our bad decisions or course of action

…I spent 6 months thinking I was going to jail…every time I saw a police car my heart sank.

--How we are treated by someone determines our course of action when it comes to our circle of friends…treat me right, I am in…treat me wrong and I am out!

--Is that a friend? A friend is someone who will tell you what you need to hear not just what you want to hear.

--A life of reaction is a life that is lived somewhere between conservative and extremely active…between hope and dejection, between being passively indifferent and compulsively hyperactive! All over the place,

--Cordeiro says a life of reaction is disorienting, sometimes a dangerous way to live, but the majority of people have chosen this lifestyle, most of them, because they have chosen no other course. Apostle Peter.

2. In this spiritual warfare we can choose a life of conformity.

--In this course of life we live according to the view of the crowd. We float on the current of popular opinion.

This explains how the crowd in Jerusalem could go from Hosanna to Crucify with Jesus.

--We tend to gravitate toward trends for our sense of wellbeing. We allow how we look to trump what we believe, and we permit what others think drive what we do.

--This course of life usually enrolls those who feel best when they are needed and who thrive on being liked,,, they get their affirmation in the wrong places. Very dangerous way to live.

--It puts you at the mercy of opinion. Watch and study politicians who serve people this way. This year they are pro-life and next year they are pro-abortion.

Leo Buscalia – The easiest thing in the world to be is you. The most difficult thing in the world to be is what other people want you to be, Don’t let them put you in that position.

3. In this spiritual warfare we can choose a life of independence.

--Men and women who choose this course for life cherish the illusion of autonomy. Self-reliance, self-direction, 

and self-sufficiency. They are usually the smartest person in the room…just ask them.

Proverbs 18:1 (NKJV) ¹  A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

--When they do find people to hang with, they find those who think like they do. They become clones of one another…whether it is going organic, sporting tattoos, or avoiding the organized church. 

--It could be what I have watched played out in the church for years…what education preference you have. Private verses public verses home schooling. This is what I think about that:

Philippians 2:12-13 (NKJV)
¹²  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
¹³  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

--Whatever sets them apart and unto themselves is trendy so long as it distinguishes them from the herd of the former generation (they have a mutual cause). Dealing with millennials.

--It can be a self-delusional way to live not to mention divisive and destructive. Satan loves when one of God’s children separates himself from the herd.

1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)
⁵  Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

4. In this spiritual warfare we must choose a life of intentionality. 

--A life of intentionality is the re-structured life that we must choose…as good soldiers of Jesus Christ we must discipline ourselves to fall in line and obey!

2 Timothy 2:3 (NIV) ³ Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

--When we were young, life happened as a matter of course. When we were hungry food appeared fully prepared by a parent or sibling…clothes were washed and appeared in our drawers…magic!

--School was just out there waiting for us to get plugged in and making friends was basically a slam dunk, all we needed was lunch or PE and we connected with people. 

--And for the most part, our weight remained stable. We could pretty much eat whatever we wanted and stay fit and slim…no more! I look at a snickers bar and gain five pounds. 

--Stay with me, somewhere along the line things shifted from automatic to manual, from natural to deliberate, from involuntary to intentional. 

--You are not told when the switch takes place, but if you do not make the transition, you will always be in the wrong place in your life…off course and vulnerable to the enemy.

--It happens at different times for different people, but it does happen…life changes! The evolution comes without warning and it happens without your permission. 

--Your marriage which early on seemed to take care of itself will no longer survive the way it used to. Healthy marriages require intentionality and planned investment. 

--So will your waistline, your ministry, your faith, your spiritual warfare, and your emotional health.

1 Corinth 9:24 (NCV) ²⁴ You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win!

--You run, you fight this spiritual warfare with intentionality…it takes discipline, training, tenacity…you make that choice every day! Intentionally put on the full armor of God.

Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 3

                                                         Prayer and Spiritual Warfare – 3

Subject – Fleshly Weapons verses Spiritual Weapons

By Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV) 

¹⁰  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
¹¹  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
¹²  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
¹³  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

--I hope you came tonight prepared to do true Biblical warfare and to, again, push back the forces of darkness.

--Tonight, let’s establish from the get-go that what we are trying to accomplish thru spiritual warfare is not what we can do thru the flesh but by the Spirit of God…Paul to the Galatians:

Galatians 3:1-5 (NLT)
¹  Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross.
²  Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.
³  How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
⁴  Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?
⁵  I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. 

--Simply, what Paul is saying here is this: It is not thru your human effort or flesh that you have been set free but thru Jesus shedding His blood on the cross and thru the power of Holy Spirit.

1. We must avoid legalism in spiritual warfare.

Legalism – adding one’s own works to the already completed, perfect work of Christ.

--Legalism was trying to attach itself to the Church is the region of Galatia and Paul was teaching against it because of how it saps the spiritual strength and joy out of the people.

--There are churches (even locally) that are known for being very legalistic and I have sat down with many of these people who have felt as though they were in bondage and oppressed.

--The women have 90% of the rules that have to be followed…your hair has to be like this, your dress must be like this…you can’t wear make-up…you can’t do anything that is not a sin…Man’s rules.

--The men can have no facial hair (I guess they have to shave their eye brows) and wear long sleeves…those sexy arms. Example: Lady invited mothers of girls she was teaching…church police would not let them in.

--As ridiculous as this sounds this is what people do with spiritual warfare…they try to attach these man made rules to a person who needs to be free or those praying for them.

Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)
¹  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 

--The Galatians show us how easy it is to hear erroneous doctrines and swallow them hook, line, and sinker. Christ had set them free but now they wanted to return to the law.

Colossians 2:23 (NIV)
²³  Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Rick Renner – The religious nature of man loves that outward show! The religious person wants to believe that, by his own work and merit, he can somehow attain a perfection that makes himself acceptable to God. 

--This is why you will hear about Far Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism require those who follow their beliefs to live such lives of self-denial, abasement, and humility. Climbing stairs on their knees.

--This same attitude and spirit attaches itself to people trying to engage in spiritual warfare…Let me do something to be worthy of my freedom. What Christ did was surely not enough to set me free.

--Maybe I can find higher places to do spiritual warfare, maybe I can shout loud enough to deliver myself or others, and maybe I can purge myself (puke) to get clean and free.

2. We can add absolutely nothing to what Jesus did at the cross of Calvary.

--How many of you will agree with me that Jesus death, burial, and resurrection was a total, perfect, and completed work!

--Hear me, His work was so complete that He purchased our complete and total deliverance from the powers of darkness. Look at what the writer of Hebrews said:

Hebrews 2:1-4 (NCV)
¹ So we must be more careful to follow what we were taught. Then we will not stray away from the truth.
²  The teaching God spoke through angels was shown to be true, and anyone who did not follow it or obey it received the punishment that was earned.
³  So surely we also will be punished if we ignore this great salvation. The Lord himself first told about this salvation, and it was proven true to us by those who heard him.
⁴  God also proved it by using wonders, great signs, many kinds of miracles, and by giving people gifts through the Holy Spirit, just as he wanted. 

--Notice verse three…we also will be punished if we ignore this great salvation. How great was your salvation?

How great is your salvation if principalities and powers still have control over you?

--How great is His salvation if we are still under the heavy hand of our enemy and we must fight every day to get free from him?How great is our salvation if we have to scream, yell, or vomit to maintain our freedom? 

--By Jesus work on the cross and His victorious resurrection from the dead, He completely broke the dominion of Satan and the bondage of sin over us.

3. So our goal in this spiritual warfare is to freely accept the deliverance that has already been obtained for us through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:9-13 (NLT)
⁹  So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.
¹⁰  For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.
¹¹  So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. 

¹²  For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
¹³  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. 

--There is a special place of rest waiting for God’s people…a place where we cease from our labor, our struggling to try to accomplish what Jesus took care of on the cross.

--Really, that is what faith is all about…after having received Christ’s redemptive work for us, we simply walk in the freedom He has already purchased for us.

--God has given to all of us a measure of faith and He has graciously provided His Word for us. As we read it, believe it, and walk in it, we see we are truly free from the chains of darkness. Verse 12 above.

--Make no mistake about it, Satan and his imps will try to come and steal, kill, and destroy the life of every believer…he will try to make you go backwards or add to God’s redemptive work…don’t do it.

--Remember Jesus has provided everything you need for this life:

2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV)
³  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
⁴  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
⁵  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
⁶  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
⁷  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
⁸  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

--He has provided everything we need but let me give this sober warning:

Hebrews 10:26-31 (NKJV)
²⁶  For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
²⁷  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
²⁸  Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
²⁹  Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
³⁰  For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people."
³¹  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.