8 reasons we fail to follow God's way: Rebellion

September 11, 2016

Warrior"

I see the smoke on the horizon.
I feel my heart pounding in my chest.
I hear the war raging all around me.
And somehow I feel like I was born for this.
I can taste the fear, but I choose courage
As I raise my shield and lift my sword.

And I fall on my knees and I fight like a warrior
I am a warrior on my knees.
I call on the Name of the One Who is Conqueror
I'm more than a conqueror when I believe.
The enemy trembles every time
'Cause he knows the battle is no longer mine
When I fall on my knees and I fight like a warrior, like a warrior, oh, oh, oh

Daughters and sons, we can hear your calling
Broken and weak, we can hear your cry
And even though our enemy roars like a lion,
The Lion of Judah is on our side.
And He will go before us and behind us
Fighting on the left and on the right

So I fall on my knees and I fight like a warrior
I am a warrior on my knees
I call on the Name of the One Who is Conqueror
I'm more than a conqueror when I believe
The enemy trembles every time
'Cause he knows the battle is no longer mine
When I fall on my knees and I fight like a warrior, like a warrior, like a warrior

Our weapons are trust; our weapons are hope
In the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
He says, "I am with you so don't be afraid,
'Cause I've already won this war."
So fall on your knees and fight with me,
We are the Warriors when we are on our knees
The enemy trembles...

We will fall on our knees and fight like a warrior
We are the Warriors on our knees
We call on the Name of the One Who is Conqueror
We're more than conquerors when we believe
The enemy trembles every time
'Cause he knows the battle isn't yours or mine
When we fall on our knees and fight like a warrior, like a warrior
We are warriors on our knees
We are the warriors, we are Warriors, we are Warriors on our knees

Jesus!
Calling on the Name of Jesus!
Power in the Name of Jesus!
Calling on the Name of Jesus!
Power in the Name of Jesus!
Calling on the Name of Jesus!
Power in the Name of Jesus!
Calling on the Name of Jesus!
Power in the Name of Jesus!Top of FormBottom of Form

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

1.     A-Z Lyrics

 STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN Lyrics

https://youtu.be/d7NxvOmtDNw

Witness:

It has been 15 years since the tragedy in NYC when the twin towers came crashing down from a terrorist attack. For some reason, the crash of flight 93 and the jet that crashed into the Pentagon don’t get as much mention now these days as the towers do, yet for many, this day is still etched in their memory. The day when America stood united. Police and firemen were held in honor. Many questioned God, but many also turned to God in light of that day’s events. Fast forward to now, and many are still remembering, but America is anything but united. Racial divides have widened even with the first “African-American” president. Police are no longer held in honor by many on the left side of the political spectrum. Religious liberty is eroding at an ever-quickening pace, and political correctness rules the day.

Fear can creep into our souls as we see the nation turn against the values we as believers hold dear. But what if that happened? What would we do? This nation, with its religious freedom and heritage, has certainly been an anomaly when compared to the rest of Church history and the experience of many believers around the world today. I see a day coming when we will have to choose to stand or compromise with the spirit of the age in America. Many will decide to change their theology to fit the world's mold in direct disobedience to the command in Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. NIV

We see that happening even now in some circles of the Evangelical community. What will we do then? What can we do now? We can continue to do what we have always been told to do, but very often have not obeyed.

We can:

Run with Endurance –     

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.Heb 12:1-4Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Walk Worthy –

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:1-4 ESV

Stand Firm –

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:10-17 NIV

Kneel to –  Become a Prayer Warrior

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Eph 6:18-20 NIV

Worship with Humility –

Come, let us bow down in worship,let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;for he is our Godand we are the people of his pasture,the flock under his care.Ps 95:6-7 NIV

Intercede for Our Government –

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time.
1 Tim 2:1-7 NIV

Sit to Eat –

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42 NIV

Lie Down –

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet watersPs 23:2 NIV

And how are we to respond to those who oppose us?

·        "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

                    Luke 6:27-28 NIV

·        Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:

                    "If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

                    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

                    In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

          Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

          Rom 12:17-21 NIV

·  Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

                     1 Peter 2:13-16 NIV

Finally, when we are called to suffer for making a stand for doing what is right, let us:

Rejoice –

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Rom 5:3-5 NIV

Endure –

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
 "He committed no sin,and no deceit was found in his mouth."
 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV

Prepare –

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:14-16 NIV

Commit –

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
1 Peter 4:16-19 NIV

WORD:

Ps 25:8-10  Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. NIV (1984)

Ps 25:8-10 8 The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the LORD therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. KJV

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. ESV

Question: Why would we fail to follow the way that God points out to us?

8 reasons:

1. fear

2. Pride

3. doubt (towards God)

4. ignoring

5. rebellion

6. distractions

7. presumption (of His forgiveness)

8. doubtfulness (in yourself)

Rebellion, where shall I go with this? This may be the most blatant and overt way of not following God’s instruction. This is the history of humanity. From the Garden to the consummation of the ages, humanity apart from Christ, will be in rebellion against God, whether openly or ignorantly. Lest we think we are safe, scripture and an examination of ourselves will show that we are not immune to rebellion’s pull on our lives, for rebellion is just another name for sin. Rebellion is the essence of sin, is it not? When we rebel, are we not saying no to God and yes to our fleshly desires? Was not rebellion at the center of the Fall in the Garden? And did not those who rebelled against God at the Holy Mountain meet with death? Is not the history of God’s chosen people marred with continual rebellion? Was not Jonah a rebellious prophet when he disobeyed God when He told him to go to Nineveh to preach? Was not rebellion in the hearts of those who crucified our Savior? And how are the last Days which we are in now described?

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.2 Tim 3:1-5a NIV

Is this not a picture of humanity in rebellion? They appear religious but deny or reject the one from which the source of true godliness flows from. What is God’s instruction concerning these people?

Have nothing to do with them.
2 Tim 3:5b NIV

Not in the sense of never talking to them, but not fellowshipping with them and preferring their company to the people of God. So, if we are not to associate with the rebellious and if we want to keep from being defiant, what does scripture say we are to do?

It says we are to –

 Walk:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.Gal 5:16 ESV

Work:

... work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Phil 2:12-13 NIV

Worship:

Individually: 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Rom 12:1-2 NIV

Corporately:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Heb 10:24-25 NIV

Thus we do not deny the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We refuse to fellowship with darkness but work and worship in fellowship with other believers. And lest you think I have left out something crucial let me conclude with that which informs and feeds our souls on an individual and corporate level.

WORD:

I have hidden your word in my heartthat I might not sin against you.Ps 119:11b NIV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.Col 3:16-17 NIV

  

                                      http://biblepic.com/53/19332.jpg                           

The Bible text designated (NIV) is from

HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

All rights reserved.