Who let the serpent in?

Good questions. and not easy to answer , especially to someone has been the object of a loss or calamity in their lives. When we look at the turmoil and despair all around us, there is a lot to seemingly have to answer for. And its normal during those moments to seek purpose in events, in others, in life. In ourselves.

But the simplest observance is that the event that had so much impact in their life, has them looking to God. Looking for an ethereal purpose. For God instills purpose and meaning into every moment. Adversity causes a demand for answers and/or action.

It starts, strangely enough, with an adversary;

Genesis 3:1(KJV 1900)

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

God made the serpent, he foresaw the events of Adam and Eve”s temptation. Its safe to believe that God fully known of the plan the serpent had to tempt Adam and Eve, because that’s what serpents do. God had cast out Lucifer from heaven due to a rebellious spirit. But why did an all knowing God allow such evil? And why do we still have temptations that trip us up? Just as God knew when asking Adam “where are you and who told you you were naked”? God knows the heart of man, knowing in love gave us free will to follow or turn from Him. God gave us choice. Angels no longer have free will, if they ever really did. But mankind is capable of choice. Its proof of our gift of free will. Choice to obey or to rebel. Choice of blessing or curse. Choice of our God.

And choice has us where we are today.

1.Provide a trial for saints to overcome. (A good life is not a participation award)

God gave Adam and Eve the opportunity to overcome the lie, to choose righteousness or deceit. We also have choice. And we have promise.

King James Version (Chapter 2 Revelations)

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

King James Version (Chapter 3 Revelations)

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne

God clearly wants us to overcome adversity. for there to be adversity, there must be an adversary.

But you may be asking yourself; WHY?

2 To develop character and faith in believers

To overcome is an accomplishment, To realize that with Gods love we are victorious through crisis. Trials and tribulations grows our faith in God.

there is value to what is earned.

James Chapter 1 KJV

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Blessed is the man that endureth the temptation to run away instead of facing the trials,

Blessed is the man that endureth the temptation to strike out in anger,

Blessed is the man that endureth the temptation to act unlawful or lacking faith when your finances are attacked

Blessed is the man that endureth the temptation to; add your own temptation that isn't honoring to God or is just plain unrighteous.

1Peter 1:7 KJV

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ

Our precious faith will undergo trials until the appearing of Jesus. not to toy with us or hurt us , or to keep us inferior. But rather to strengthen our faith to withstand more and more, for us to GROW stronger and be of greater use to Gods kingdom.

1Peter 5)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Our character is grown, our faith strengthened, to where we can and will be a help to others who are suffering in the same affliction.

Having faith in God is not an automatic condition of the human existence. Faith is grown , honed and tried in fire, strengthened and purified in trials and victories. And just because you make it through a hardship doesnt mean you have been made perfect, if that were so we wouldnt have to go through the same trail over and over. Its when we have established ourselves in Christ in that area that we get choose righteousness over unrighteousness.

In the award winning movie series Band of Brothers, it was the adversities and horrors of war that forged those men into the heroes they are.

Make no mistake, we are in just as a horrific war as those paratroopers. If arguably an even greater battle. Good vs evil will continue until the adversary is placed in the lake of fire.

God knows how to forge us into the warriors He needs us to be. Training isn't easy, but necessary. One of Dean Mora’s favorite saying was “blood spread in training saves blood on the battlefield”. Dean Mora was a stellar military leader. But, as he would agree, he doesn't hold a candle to the leadership we get from God.

3. To Keep Us Humble

Suicides, drug overdoses (whether by illicit or prescription drugs), divorces, alcoholism, financial disasters—why are tragedies like these seemingly common among celebrities? Why do many celebrities, some of whom are relatively intelligent and good people, make such complete disasters of their lives? There is no single answer that definitively applies to every celebrity tragedy, but if there is an explicit biblical answer, it is one word—pride.

The apostle Paul, who today we would call a superstar, wrote;

2 Cor 12:7-10

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong

Just as a reminder;Paul was stoned, beaten, and imprisoned. His friends turned from him, and Jesus’ disciples who he sought out as new comrades, pushed him away rejected.

But Paul became so popular in the early church, he had to bypass certain cities when he was traveling to keep his schedule for he knew if he went near, he would be obliged to hang out and spend time teaching and ministering.

With all the overcoming and victories and with the powers of the Holy Spirit Himself, it would be natural to, as Paul wrote “exalt ourselves”

There is always something to learn, to grow from. We ourselves are a very weak being. Many animals are stronger, better adapted to the environment. But being human is to overcome, to recognize our lack and to not think ourselves so superior. If you think yourself so superior, go slap a male mountain gorilla (or even try to stare him down).

Likewise what would life be if we were superior in all? would you really want to hit hole in ones every stroke? What fun would there be without a challenge?

Could you really empathize with anyone if you were not humbled once in awhile. If all your drives were straight down the fairway? Nobody wants to be humbled, no one wants to shank one into the woods, but for a life worth living its necessary. But humbling events happen, the smart move is to turn to Christ, to allow His power to rest in our need. I used golf as a metaphor, that's funny and nonthreatening. But we all have things in our past that are not so cute, reach for Jesus

I remember trying to quit smoking. I thought I could do anything; I was Sergeant Briel. My addiction answered me “so what?” I found that I was not strong enough to beat it. And I based most of my life to that point on being powerful, strong and dangerous not being strong enough in any aspect of my life was huge! Alcohol, drugs, violence, gambling,, praise God those vices were easy to turn my back to. But those little cigarettes, I felt like such a failure to myself and to God. Eventually God put me in a situation where I couldn’t smoke. 2 weeks became a month that became a year, to a decade to now I haven't had a cigarette in almost 30 years. but there are other failures that still haunt me, other thorns in my side. I need God. As we all do, or am I the only one?. Its the recognition we are not “all that”, which keeps us from trying to be our own God.

1 Cor 4:9

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

Pride is the sin of Lucifer, Thanks be to God we have afflictions to keep us humble.

4. Demonstrate the Power of God over evil/all powers

God certainly doesn’t need to prove himself, But I sometimes need the assurance that He is able.

In the warfare of our lives, it’s a comfort to know Jesus can drop those big support bombs that obliterate and give victories. There’s nothing like an A-10 Warthog or a Cobra helicopter obliterating an enemy position. Think of God being your support element. And for the powers of the air and all powers in heaven and on earth, there is none to match Him. Ant meet Boot

Eph 5:14-16

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Earlier in the same letter Paul writes always with the unction of the Holy Spirit;

Eph. 2: 5-7

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

There is comfort sleeping with a big watchdog watching over you.

It is my comfort to know my Lord watches over what is His.

Both good and evil need a reference point. We know when something happens whether it is good or bad, but that is because we have a reference, our spirit. Placed there from God. When you ride in a car, you don't know, you don't feel, you're going 60 mph, unless you look at the the speedometer or world going by, a reference.The same with good and evil. without God what would we know from evil, and that victory is God’s to wield. He and He alone gets to be our reference.

5. To be Used to Afflict People to Repentance

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

Sinning is fun, if it wasn’t we wouldn’t do it so frequently. Yet we know that the wages of sin is death. Satan leads us into sin thinking it our destruction. There are legions of souls that are heading for damnation. Sometimes it takes a catastrophe to bring someone to their knees. We all were on a path of destruction. “For all have sinned”, and for some it only takes gentile guiding for them to accept the gift of salvation in Jesus.

And then there are those who must loose everything. who need the spiritual 2x4 up side the head, for God to get their attention.

With God it is in love that correction is ministered. that boundaries are established. He knows exactly what each of us needs. I recognize that not everyone here has had an authority figure that was as righteous as God and to hear punishment in love, sends negative responses to fire in yourselves. But God cannot be measured by that. He is God, not a sinner trying to beat submission into you.

Israel, established as a blessing for the whole world, is an example of Gods love for his people. And the history of Israel shows God using tragedies to bring his rebellious children back to Himself. Babylonians, Assyrians, Romans, and others, when Israel would turn aside from serving God would be used to pressure Israel to cry out for God’s salvation.

1 Corinthians(Chapter 5)

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened

The words of Job, who had catastrophe after catastrophe happen;

English Standard Version Job 33

14 For God speaks in one way,

and in two, though man does not perceive it.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,

when deep sleep falls on men,

while they slumber on their beds,

16 then he opens the ears of men

and terrifies them with warnings,

17 that he may turn man aside from his deed

and conceal pride from a man;

18 he keeps back his soul from the pit,

his life from perishing by the sword.

19 “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed

and with continual strife in his bones,

20 so that his life loathes bread,

and his appetite the choicest food.

21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,

and his bones that were not seen stick out.

22 His soul draws near the pit,

and his life to those who bring death.

23 If there be for him an angel,

a mediator, one of the thousand,

to declare to man what is right for him,

24 and He is merciful to him, and says,

‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;

I have found a ransom;

25 let his flesh become fresh with youth;

let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’;

26 then man prays to God, and he accepts him;

he sees his face with a shout of joy,

and he restores to man his righteousness.

27 He sings before men and says:

‘I sinned and perverted what was right,

and it was not repaid to me.

28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,

and my life shall look upon the light.’

29 “Behold, God does all these things,

twice, three times, with a man,

30 to bring back his soul from the pit,

that he may be lighted with the light of life.

WE HAVE BEEN RANSOMED BY THE BLOOD, OUR DEBT PAID!!!

Job recognized that even horrific events happen under Gods watchful eye. Our choices are not always right. But our end is not destruction, but rather By the blood of Jesus we are redeemed.

God has placed worth, reason, and planning onto every millisecond of time. All things (as we perceive good and bad) are in His control, to include the adversary, and those minions under lucifer.

Long ago, there was a widowed Chinese farmer. The farmer and his only son labored through the cold winds of winter and scorching rays of summer with their last remaining horse. One day, the son didn’t lock the gate of the stable properly, and the horse bolted away.

When neighbors learned what happened, they came to the farmer and said, “What a sadness this is! Without your horse, you’ll be unable to maintain the farm. What a failure that your son did not lock the gate properly! This is a great tragedy!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

The next day, the missing horse returned to the farmer’s stable, bringing along with it six wild horses. The farmer’s son locked the gate of the stable firmly behind all seven horses.

When neighbors learned what happened, they came to the farmer and said, “What happiness this brings! With seven horses, you’ll be able to maintain the farm with three of them and sell the rest for huge profits. What a blessing!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

The next day the farmer’s son was breaking in one of the wild horses. The son got thrown from the horse, fell hard on rocks, and broke his leg.

When neighbors learned what happened, they came to the farmer and said, “What a great sadness this is! Now, you’ll be unable to count on your son’s help. What a failure to break in the horse properly! What a tragedy!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

The next day, a general from the Imperial Chinese Army arrived to conscript all the young men of the village into the army. Their assignment was to fight on the front lines of a battle against a terrifying enemy of overwhelming force. The farmer’s son, because of his broken leg, was not taken.

When neighbors learned what happened, they came to the farmer and said, “What a great joy! Your son avoided facing certain death on the front lines of the battle. What a blessing!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

Ancient Chinese Proverb

JACK PINE

We have a tree here in Michigan and its not only here, but we have it. Its the Jack Pine. Funny thing about the Jack Pine, its in the tragedy of a forest fire that the heat is sufficient to open the cones to allow the seeds to drop. without the fire, there would be no Jack pines, and they grow fast! Helping the forest to rebuild. God knew that there would be fires in our lives destroying what once was, and placing just the right things in our lives to get us through the destruction for us to rebuild.

I don't know what fires have been in your lives or which may be on the way. But God has purpose in the midst. He doesn't take a break for a coffee and upon returning wonder what happened that he needs to fix. Not only is He present in the fire, but he has already placed “Jack Pines” to help you rebuild.

Why does he allow the fire, flood, destructions, war, disease, suffering and pain? There are multiples of reasons He could have, but can we trust that whatever the reason it is for good, for God is righteous. I covered only a facet of the most minimum of ideas. But we need to be able to give an answer to those who are looking to Christ for something to hang on to in a storm. The Bible is full of stories of people in the throws of oppressive calamities. And God uses them. Its not the end of the story should you find yourself in crisis, God is very much overseeing the events of our lives. And has a purpose for whatever is happening.

And finally I leave you this; Hope

6. Preparation for the Eternal Future

There will come a time when the moments of this world both good and bad will no longer matter, all this ages conflicts and horrors will have us looking for a time beyond time

King James Version (Revelation 21)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

This storm you find yourself in will not last forever. You are too important to God to leave you there alone, he will guide you through the storms of life to a life eternal.

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