Get up and Fight!

Psalm 146 / 1 Timothy 6::6-20 ? Amos 6

At Ease

Amos 6:1–7 “1 “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! 2 Pass over to Calneh, and see, and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory, 3 O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence?

Lulled to sleep in the experience of a peaceful life

Seeking a peaceful, easy life, as if peace and liberty are not costly

4 “Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, 5 who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, 6 who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

godliness as a means of temporal gain (wealth/power)

Enjoying the riches and ease of this life as the norm

7 Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away.””

1 Timothy 6:10 “10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

Being at ease in these ways are dangerous and deadly; leading to cursing instead of blessing.

Leading to the absence, rather than closeness of The Lord.

The Deception

Psalm 146:1–4 “1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”

Luke 16:22–24 “22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’”

This life is temporal, not eternal, but the consequences of this life, especially in regards to Jesus and the gospel have eternal, and unchangeable effects

1 John 2:15–17 “15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

This is where we need reminding of the truth: that as enjoyable as things are here, they are NOT lasting. They are meant to be foretastes of glory, NOT the height of God’s blessing!

The deception is that the trappings of this life are what is most meaningful.

The deception is that the so-called security found in wealth and power are secure.

The deception is that enjoying the etmporary things are what is really living.

The deception is that you get to choose if you are in a spiritual warfar.

The deception is that living for eternity is vanity, when the truth is the exact opposite.

Really Living

Contentment

1 Timothy 6:6–8 “6 But godliness with contentment IS great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

Philippians 4:11–13 “11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

This is the context of the often abused scriptureL contentment can only be found in seeking, recognizing, and embracing the fullness of Christ Jesus!

Always in the Fight

1 Timothy 6:11–12 “11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 6:17–19 “17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Forsake the ideas of being at ease here; rather rest now in the promises secured by Christ Jesus, and look to the Eternal Rest that God has prepared for His People.

Flee the temptations that lead to sin and unrighteousness

Seek to love your neighbor in all things.