Don't Let the Good Times Fool You

Luke 15:11–18 KJV 1900

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

And he said, A certain man had two sons: - KJV

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. - KJV

And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. - KJV

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. - KJV

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. - KJV

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. - KJV

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! - KJV

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, - KJV

Knowing your enemy’s moves is the secret to success on any level of warfare. It’s why the United States has a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that is responsible for gathering intelligence information on our nation’s adversaries. Opposing governments conduct espionage by sending spies secretly behind enemy lines to gain intelligence information for one reason: knowledge is power! It’s no different for everyone fighting the good fight of faith. It is critical that we are intimately acquainted with everything about our enemy.

The reason more Christians do not live victoriously is because they do not know Satan’s strategy. Here’s the reality—unless you gain knowledge about your enemy, you have no hope of succeeding against him. The prophet Hosea wrote about it thousands of years ago.

Hosea 4:6 KJV 1900

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. ()

Those words are just as true in the spirit realm as they are in this earthly realm. The Bible tells us the devil has declared war on each of us. He has declared war on you. He is like the cartoon character, Wile E. Coyote who is always plotting and planning and strategizing to devour that innocent Road Runner. The Bible says that Satan is as a wolf. And just like Wile E. Coyote, he really does want to devour you. That is what Paul is teaching us and part of what we are doing in our intelligence gathering—learning about the wiles of the devil—the devices he employs in his assault against us and everything we hold dear.

Those words are just as true in the spirit realm as they are in this earthly realm. The Bible tells us the devil has declared war on each of us. He has declared war on you. He is like the cartoon character, Wile E. Coyote who is always plotting and planning and strategizing to devour that innocent Road Runner. The Bible says that Satan really is a wolf—and one that is extremely wily. And just like Wile E. Coyote, he really does want to devour you. That is what Paul is teaching us and part of what we are doing in our intelligence gathering—learning about the wiles of the devil—the devices he employs in his assault against us and everything we hold dear.

Because we are at war, it is essential that we continue our advanced intelligence gathering. As Paul says in , “lest Satan should take advantage of us.” If we do not learn about him and gather intelligence information about him, Satan WILL have the upper hand on us. Paul says we are not to be ignorant of his devices—his tools, his tricks, and his tactics—that he deploys against us.

The good news is—to use a little police jargon—we know his M.O., his modus operandi, his method of operation. Why? Because he has been using the only three bullets he has ever had since the dawn of humanity in the Garden of Eden—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. And poor, naive Eve never saw it coming. Like a trained boxer, he sets up his opponent with a jab and then goes for the knockout punch. First, he attacks through lies…then he attracts through lust. This is the one-two punch our adversary, the devil uses every time. He lures us in with lies and then baits the trap knowing the bait we’re most apt to take.

Here are several key things that tend to cause Christians to drift away from God.

An Out-of-Control Schedule

Ephesians 5:16 KJV 1900

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

One of Satan’s greatest weapons against our generation seems to be his ability to make good people busier than ever before. We so often sacrifice the best things in life by spending time doing things that are just “pretty good.”

Misplaced Affections

1 John 2:15 KJV 1900

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

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.

Be careful not to set your heart on things that really don’t matter. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen good people lured away from church life because they have fallen in love with things or activities that have no eternal merit. For example, children’s sports can certainly be a thrilling activity for your kids to pursue. But if those sports begin to adversely affect the spiritual involvement and development of your family, then pull the plug immediately.

Discouragement

During the past couple decades that I have served as a pastor, I have often watched Satan using his weapon of discouragement to drag people away from spiritual activities. I have seen it many more times than I can number.

When the trials of life cause a person to become discouraged, he often begins focusing on those problems and takes his eyes off of Christ. It reminds me of when Peter walked on the water. He did great until he took his eyes off of Jesus and began looking at the waves beneath him and the clouds above him.

It is important for you to know that when life’s clouds grow dark and your trials become fierce, that is the time to run TO Jesus and not FROM Him.

Abundance

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

We Americans are so fat with our own prosperity that we often make wealth our god and not the true King of heaven. This has also been a recurring theme throughout the entire Bible. People struggle, God blesses them, they become prosperous, and then they depart from God. Ironic, isn’t it?

Money gives people options

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV 1900

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The chances are great that you probably do not feel like you are prosperous. But the reality is that nearly all Americans are extremely blessed and have more abundance than the vast majority of the population of the planet. If you are an American, you are most likely already a “One-Percenter” (wealthier than 99% of the world’s population).

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

We Americans are so fat with our own prosperity that we often make wealth our god and not the true King of heaven. This has also been a recurring theme throughout the entire Bible. People struggle, God blesses them, they become prosperous, and then they depart from God. Ironic, isn’t it?

People of abundance often choose recreation over worship. Why go to church if you could be out golfing, boating, camping, or going to movies or sporting events?

The chances are great that you probably do not feel like you are prosperous. But the reality is that nearly all Americans are extremely blessed and have more abundance than the vast majority of the population of the planet. If you are an American, you are most likely already a “One-Percenter” (wealthier than 99% of the world’s population).

Satan wants us to be prosperous, because our prosperity and abundance often lure us away from our Creator.

And again…people with money have options. Technology options. Travel options. Options for their kids. And, arguably, that affluence may be one of the factors moving them further away from a committed engagement to the mission of the local church.

That leads us to today's narrative.

We read about a man that had two sons in which the younger of the two ask for his inheritance. It tells us that in just a few days he had probably turned it all into currency and went to a far country and wasted his fortune with loose and reckless living. It suggest a lifestyle without restraints. Verse 30 tells us that he spent it on prostitutes.

People of abundance often choose recreation over worship. Why go to church if you could be out golfing, boating, camping, or going to movies or sporting events?

Satan wants us to be prosperous, because our prosperity and abundance often lure us away from our Creator.

He was living a life weary of restraint, panting for independence, unable longer to abide the check of a father’s eye. This is man impatient of divine control, desiring to be independent of God, seeking to be his own master;

During the time of Judges the stubborn nation of Israel started a very dangerous and downward spiral! They would turn away from God and…

When I grew up, I felt guilty about not being in church on a Sunday.

“do what was evil in the sight of the Lord”

The number of people who feel guilty about not being in church on Sunday shrinks daily.

…Then God would punish them for their disobedience and disregard for being God’s representative in the world.

…Then the people would cry out to the Lord when things got really bad for them. I find is so interesting that not until the things bad in their lives that they concerned themselves with God. Sound like many of us today!

That leads us to today's narrative.

…Then God would answer them and send them a leader called a Judge to set them on the right path of obedience to God and get them out of the trouble they were in.

We read about a man that had two sons in which the younger of the two ask for his inheritance. It tells us that in just a few days he had probably turned it all into currency and went to a far country and wasted his fortune with loose and reckless living. It suggest a lifestyle without restraints. Verse 30 tells us that he spent it on prostitutes.

He was living a life weary of restraint, panting for independence, unable longer to abide the check of a father’s eye. This is man impatient of divine control, desiring to be independent of God, seeking to be his own master;

…Then there would be peace and rest in the land until the Judge died.

…THEN THE CYCLE WOULD START ALL OVER AGAIN!!!! SEVEN TIMES!!!! OVER 300 YEARS!!!!

During the time of Judges the stubborn nation of Israel started a very dangerous and downward spiral! They would turn away from God and…

“do what was evil in the sight of the Lord”

And why did the nation of Israel sink into this downward spiral of disobedience and judgement? It was a matter of THEIR EYES!

The Hebrew language is very literal. It use lots of concrete words to define abstract ideas. The word “eye” in the context of Judges means “sight or perspective or arrogance”. During the time of Judges the people did what they THOUGHT was right… not what WAS right.

…Then God would punish them for their disobedience and disregard for being God’s representative in the world.

The whole book of Judges can be summed up in these few words…

…Then the people would cry out to the Lord when things got really bad for them. I find is so interesting that not until the things bad in their lives that they concerned themselves with God. Sound like many of us today!

EVERYONE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES.

…Then God would answer them and send them a leader called a Judge to set them on the right path of obedience to God and get them out of the trouble they were in.

[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. - AMP

…Then there would be peace and rest in the land until the Judge died.

Fixing, or looking at nothing else than Jesus, is a way to stop the cycle of our own eye problem! And how do we do this? By bowing our knees to the authority and kingship of Jesus in our lives. Living for Him and not for ourselves!

…THEN THE CYCLE WOULD START ALL OVER AGAIN!!!! SEVEN TIMES!!!! OVER 300 YEARS!!!!

And why did the nation of Israel sink into this downward spiral of disobedience and judgement? It was a matter of THEIR EYES!

When you are on the mountain, stay humble.

The Hebrew language is very literal. It use lots of concrete words to define abstract ideas. The word “eye” in the context of Judges means “sight or perspective or arrogance”. During the time of Judges the people did what they THOUGHT was right… not what WAS right.

The key point is “when they served God, they prospered” versus “again and again falling away from God into the worship of idols.”

The whole book of Judges can be summed up in these few words…

But Samuel considered it wrong for them to request a king to judge them. So Samuel prayed to the LORD. The LORD told Samuel, “Listen to everything the people are saying to you. They haven’t rejected you; they’ve rejected me.

EVERYONE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES.

when he had spent all … a mighty famine—a mysterious providence holding back the famine till he was in circumstances to feel it in all its rigor. Thus, like Jonah, whom the storm did not overtake till on the mighty deep at the mercy of the waves no man gave … him—not this food, for that he had, but anything better (). This was his lowest depth—perishing unpitied, alone in the world, and ready to disappear from it unmissed! But this is just the blessed turning-point; midnight before dawn of day (; ; ). came to himself—Before, he had been “beside himself” (), in what sense will presently appear. The older son would have received a double portion amounting to two-thirds of what belonged to his father (see ). 15:19 no longer worthy to be called your son Since he already had received (and spent) his inheritance, this statement must refer to more than the son’s legal standing within the family. He regards his actions as being so reprehensible that he deserves to be cut off from his family in a relational sense. 15:20 ran The father’s act of running toward his lost son alludes to the divine initiative to seek and welcome sinners (see v. 4 and note). Nothing in the text indicates that the father’s act of running was somehow shameful. Disciples in the face of rejection need absolute commitment. Their mission, even though others grumble at it, is to seek the lost, just as God does. God rejoices in finding lost sinners, so Jesus’ call is to pursue them as one would a lost sheep, a lost coin, or a wayward son. When the lost come, open arms are to await them. Celebration and joy greet them in heaven.

[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. - AMP

You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth? - AMP THE MOST IMPORTANT FREEDOM

Fixing, or looking at nothing else than Jesus, is a way to stop the cycle of our own eye problem! And how do we do this? By bowing our knees to the authority and kingship of Jesus in our lives. Living for Him and not for ourselves!

When you are on the mountain, stay humble.

Patrick Henry was a famous statesman and orator of colonial Virginia. In 1764 he was elected to the House of Burgesses where he became a champion of the frontier people, supporting their rights against the arrogant exercise of power by the aristocracy.

The key point is “when they served God, they prospered” versus “again and again falling away from God into the worship of idols.”

In 1774 he was a delegate to the First Continental Congress. In 1775, before the Virginia Provincial Convention, which was deeply divided between those who supported England and those who desired freedom, he uttered his most famous words, "Give me liberty or give me death!"

During the Revolutionary War he became commander-in-chief of Virginia’s military forces, a member of the Second Continental Congress, helped draw up the first constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and was largely responsible for drawing up the ammendments to our Constitution known as the Bill of Rights.

1 Samuel 8:6–8 KJV 1900

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

But Samuel considered it wrong for them to request a king to judge them. So Samuel prayed to the LORD. The LORD told Samuel, “Listen to everything the people are saying to you. They haven’t rejected you; they’ve rejected me.

He became Virginia’s first governor, and was re-elected four times. Then he retired from public life, but despite his strong objections the people went ahead and re-elected him Governor for the 5th time. But he meant what he said, so he refused to take the office.

But Samuel considered it wrong for them to request a king to judge them. So Samuel prayed to the LORD. The LORD told Samuel, “Listen to everything the people are saying to you. They haven’t rejected you; they’ve rejected me.

when he had spent all … a mighty famine—a mysterious providence holding back the famine till he was in circumstances to feel it in all its rigor. Thus, like Jonah, whom the storm did not overtake till on the mighty deep at the mercy of the waves no man gave … him—not this food, for that he had, but anything better (). This was his lowest depth—perishing unpitied, alone in the world, and ready to disappear from it unmissed! But this is just the blessed turning-point; midnight before dawn of day (; ; ). came to himself—Before, he had been “beside himself” (), in what sense will presently appear. The older son would have received a double portion amounting to two-thirds of what belonged to his father (see ). 15:19 no longer worthy to be called your son Since he already had received (and spent) his inheritance, this statement must refer to more than the son’s legal standing within the family. He regards his actions as being so reprehensible that he deserves to be cut off from his family in a relational sense. 15:20 ran The father’s act of running toward his lost son alludes to the divine initiative to seek and welcome sinners (see v. 4 and note). Nothing in the text indicates that the father’s act of running was somehow shameful. Disciples in the face of rejection need absolute commitment. Their mission, even though others grumble at it, is to seek the lost, just as God does. God rejoices in finding lost sinners, so Jesus’ call is to pursue them as one would a lost sheep, a lost coin, or a wayward son. When the lost come, open arms are to await them. Celebration and joy greet them in heaven.

He was offered a seat in the U.S. Senate, and posts as ambassador to Spain and to France. President George Washington asked him to join his cabinet and become Secretary of State, and later wanted to appoint him the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. But he refused all such honors and recognitions.

Listen to these words from him: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians - not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth? - AMP THE MOST IMPORTANT FREEDOM

Patrick Henry was a famous statesman and orator of colonial Virginia. In 1764 he was elected to the House of Burgesses where he became a champion of the frontier people, supporting their rights against the arrogant exercise of power by the aristocracy.

His Last Will & Testament was filed in the Brookneal County courthouse in Virginia. You read his will and you’ll see that he bequeathed everything to his children, just as most people do. But the last paragraph in his will is especially interesting.

He wrote, "I have now given everything I own to my children. There is one more thing I wish I could give them and that is Christ. Because if they have everything I gave them and don’t have Christ, they have nothing."

In 1774 he was a delegate to the First Continental Congress. In 1775, before the Virginia Provincial Convention, which was deeply divided between those who supported England and those who desired freedom, he uttered his most famous words, "Give me liberty or give me death!"

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? - KJV

During the Revolutionary War he became commander-in-chief of Virginia’s military forces, a member of the Second Continental Congress, helped draw up the first constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and was largely responsible for drawing up the ammendments to our Constitution known as the Bill of Rights.

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? - MSG

He became Virginia’s first governor, and was re-elected four times. Then he retired from public life, but despite his strong objections the people went ahead and re-elected him Governor for the 5th time. But he meant what he said, so he refused to take the office.

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” ― Socrates

He was offered a seat in the U.S. Senate, and posts as ambassador to Spain and to France. President George Washington asked him to join his cabinet and become Secretary of State, and later wanted to appoint him the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. But he refused all such honors and recognitions.

“We need much less than we think we need.” ― Maya Angelou

Listen to these words from him: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians - not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” ― Epictetus

His Last Will & Testament was filed in the Brookneal County courthouse in Virginia. You read his will and you’ll see that he bequeathed everything to his children, just as most people do. But the last paragraph in his will is especially interesting.

He wrote, "I have now given everything I own to my children. There is one more thing I wish I could give them and that is Christ. Because if they have everything I gave them and don’t have Christ, they have nothing."

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. - KJV

The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. - AMP

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? - KJV

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? - MSG

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” ― Socrates

“We need much less than we think we need.” ― Maya Angelou

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” ― Epictetus

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. - KJV

The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. - AMP

Don't Let the Good Times Fool You

GREATER AFFLUENCE

THE CULTURAL DISAPPEARANCE OF GUILT

Don't Let the Good Times Fool You

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GREATER AFFLUENCE

THE CULTURAL DISAPPEARANCE OF GUILT